Based on BASF’s new biopolymer ecoflex BMB, the new midsole is 90% more durable while showing the same energy return as midsoles made of polyether block amide (PEBA), a material widely used for performance running shoes.

In ecoflex BMB, fossil raw materials are replaced with renewable feedstock at the beginning of the production process. The renewable feedstock comes from organic waste and residual biomass and is attributed to the ecoflex grade via a mass balance approach which is certified according to REDcert2 and ISCC PLUS.

Thus biomass-balanced ecoflex supports Mount to Coast in increasing the use of renewable feedstocks in its unique process of foaming the CircleCELL midsole while preserving the characteristics performance shoes require, most importantly, durability. In-house tests by BASF have shown that ecoflex BMB outperforms other midsole materials in density and rebound.

Yeti Zhang, Mount to Coast’s head of product, said that “BASF has been a crucial partner in supporting our product development team as we search for ways to balance durability and sustainability. Their creativity in introducing mature technology from one industry into a new space, like the footwear industry, is inspiring and aligns with our goals to offer the running community new performance solutions.”

Ecoflex BMB thus perfectly fits into BASF’s pioneering footwear solutions and deep expertise of the entire value chain for cost-effectively creating shoes that are lighter, more comfortable and durable.

In the biomass balance approach, the fossil feedstocks in the first steps of the manufacturing process are replaced by waste-based renewable resources. The renewable amount is then attributed to specific products at the end of the manufacturing process by means of a third-party certified method.

This independent certification confirms that BASF has replaced the required quantities of fossil feedstock for the biomass balanced product that customers buy with renewable feedstock according to the REDcert2 and ISCC PLUS requirements.