Views: 59 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2024-07-16 Origin: Site
A recent Life Cycle Assessment by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) reveals that a typical pair of running shoes generates 14 kg (30 pounds) of carbon dioxide emissions, comparable to running a 100-watt light bulb for a week. In the United States alone, over 300 million pairs of shoes are discarded annually, with 95 percent ending up in landfills. To address this environmental issue, OrthoLite, a global leader in comfort and performance footwear insoles, has developed OrthoLite Cirql, a revolutionary midsole foam technology aimed at advancing the footwear industry towards a circular economy.
Until now, the footwear industry relied heavily on conventional plastics like EVA (ethyl vinyl acetate), which are petroleum-based and non-biodegradable. OrthoLite has achieved a significant breakthrough with OrthoLite Cirql™, a midsole foam made from a plant-derived biopolymer processed through a chemical-free foaming method. This innovation is the world’s first biodegradable, recyclable, and industrially compostable foam technology designed for footwear.
OrthoLite Cirql is produced without "forever chemicals" and sourced responsibly from non-GMO vegetable raw materials and synthetic biodegradable materials. This eco-friendly material can either be recycled through low-energy advanced chemical recycling or composted through selected industrial methods, keeping materials in use and reducing environmental impact.
Source: OrthoLite
OrthoLite collaborates with footwear brands and the waste management sector to utilize existing and new closed-loop, take-back, and recycling streams for footwear. This scalable end-of-life management helps prevent the accumulation of persistent microplastics, as OrthoLite Cirql biodegrades similarly to natural polymers like cellulose.
OrthoLite Cirql’s patented zero-waste production process is both scalable and circular. The biopolymer pellets are melted and mixed with liquid nitrogen under extreme pressure in a unique injection molding process. This results in efficient cycle times that reduce energy consumption and produce a finished product without downtime, polymerization, or waste. Unlike conventional foaming methods, Cirql’s production does not use any toxic chemical additives. Additionally, OrthoLite powers its Cirql factory in Vietnam with solar energy to further minimize its environmental footprint.
OrthoLite Cirql is committed to transparency and third-party validation, having undergone extensive testing and analysis. It is Certified Industrial Compostable (Din Certco), REACH-certified (EU), USDA Certified Bio Preferred, RSL compliant (Intertek), certified GMO-free, certified Vegan, and Hypoallergenic.
Source: OrthoLite
OrthoLite's commitment to environmental sustainability dates back to 1997 when it introduced its first insole made from recycled rubber waste. This innovation set a precedent for using recycled materials, which have been incorporated into billions of OrthoLite insoles. OrthoLite insoles are used in over 500 million pairs of shoes annually, supplied to more than 500 leading footwear brands worldwide across various categories, including Outdoor, Athletic, Running, Comfort, Golf, Lifestyle, and Fashion.
With a goal of achieving zero waste, OrthoLite aims to significantly reduce pollution and regenerate natural systems. This commitment to sustainable solutions is a core aspect of the company's mission.
“At OrthoLite, operating with a sustainable mindset has been central to our DNA since our inception. Our continued commitment to sustainability is a natural extension of our mission and vision. We are excited about how much further we can go to not only minimize our own environmental footprint but help the global footwear industry do the same,” said Glenn Barrett, Founder and CEO of OrthoLite.
Headquartered in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, with nearby production facilities, the OrthoLite Cirql Center of Excellence serves as both the manufacturing hub for Cirql and a testing ground for exploring scalable, sustainable production pathways for the entire footwear industry.
