Eco footwear specialist Vivobarefoot has joined forces with material science specialist Balena to develop a groundbreaking 3D-printed shoe crafted entirely from compostable materials. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in the pursuit of sustainable and personalized footwear. The prototype trainer was recently unveiled at the materials conference, Biofabricate.
The shoe is hailed as the world’s first 3D-printed and locally-made-to-measure footwear that is fully compostable. The manufacturing process is fully automated, with users able to scan their feet on their mobile phones, thereby initiating the automatic 3D-printing of shoes customized to their unique foot shape. Vivobarefoot has dubbed this process “scan-to-print-to-soil”.
The key material utilized in the shoe is Balena’s BioCirflex, a compostable, bio-based, and recyclable thermoplastic material. Paired with the advanced 3D-printing technology, this innovative material enables the production of footwear that is not only sustainable but also customized for maximum comfort and support.
Asher Clark, co-founder of Vivobarefoot, believes that this partnership represents a paradigm shift in the footwear industry. He emphasizes the need for a new system and materials, stating that the world does not require new shoes, but rather a return to nature when footwear is no longer needed.
Currently, prototypes of the eco-friendly shoe are being developed using a patented scan-to-print computational design system. Should this system prove successful on a larger scale, it has the potential to revolutionize footwear manufacturing by enabling on-demand production tailored to individual consumers, rather than relying on mass production.
The collaboration between Vivobarefoot and Balena demonstrates the growing trend of sustainability within the footwear industry. Brands are increasingly recognizing the significance of employing environmentally-friendly materials and manufacturing processes. The integration of 3D-printing technology allows for the creation of footwear that not only minimizes waste but also ensures a unique fit for each customer.
In an industry where sustainability is increasingly prioritized, the efforts of brands such as Vivobarefoot and Balena are encouraging. They show that innovative solutions exist for producing eco-friendly footwear. This partnership represents a substantial leap towards a more sustainable future for the footwear industry.
Useful links:
– Vivobarefoot
– Balena
