"Lightweight and Resilient"... Dongsung Chemical Supplies High-Performance Footwear Materials

Applied to K2 Running Shoe Midsoles

Highlighting Eco-Friendliness and Resilience

Dongsung Chemical is targeting the outdoor market with eco-friendly, high-performance footwear materials.

K2's slow running shoes "Flowing," featuring thermoplastic polyurethane resin applied based on the supercritical fluid foaming technology of Dong Sung Chemical. Dong Sung Chemical

On April 9, Dongsung Chemical announced that it has applied its supercritical fluid (SCF) foaming technology-based thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) resin, branded as "Floathane," to the midsoles of K2’s slow running shoes "Flowing" and "Flowing Lace."

The SCF foaming technology is an advanced process that uses nitrogen gas to create fine air layers. Floathane, developed with this technology, does not use chemical foaming agents, reducing environmental impact, and features a uniform cell structure that makes it lightweight and highly resilient, maintaining its shape without easily collapsing.

Dongsung Chemical has further enhanced the functionality of the midsoles using Floathane. The air layers formed by the SCF foaming process act like springs, effectively absorbing and dispersing impact upon landing, and converting it into energy to provide greater propulsion for the next step.

With this application, Dongsung Chemical plans to accelerate partnerships with leading domestic and global footwear brands. The company is also building SCF injection physical foaming facilities for footwear at its Ulsan plant to strengthen its integrated collaboration system with clients.

Kim Mansik, Head of the TPU Business Division at Dongsung Chemical, stated, "Floathane is a material that simultaneously meets the functionality and sustainability requirements of the footwear industry. Based on our resin blending and synthesis technology, we will continue to offer customized solutions tailored to the specific needs of each product."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.