The latest AVALON® GECKO TPU range includes a variety of products designed for superior grip and durability, all developed with a focus on sustainability.
Huntsman has developed a new range of innovative, high-performing thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) materials for the footwear industry that offers game-changing possibilities for soling applications. The new AVALON® GECKO TPU portfolio offers a series of products that have exceptional grip and durability and have been developed with circularity in mind. Tailor made for use in high performance soling applications, the range includes an extrudable grade for creating super thin outsoles and a product that can be foamed to produce a very low density and super soft material with a unique touch and feel.
Drawing inspiration from the extraordinary grip of geckos, products in the AVALON® GECKO TPU portfolio offer comparable slip performance to rubber in both wet and dry conditions. A great choice for outsoles for running, hiking and safety shoes, the new GECKO TPU portfolio contains products that are soft (shore 60-65A) yet highly durable with excellent abrasion resistance.
To help ensure ultimate design and production versatility for its customers, Huntsman has developed three grades of AVALON® GECKO TPU:
· AVALON® 6044 AG – an opaque, injectable grade that is ideal for safety shoes
· AVALON® 6053 AG – a transparent, extrusion grade optimized for running applications
· AVALON® 6055 AG – a transparent, injectable grade for exceptional wet slip performance.
The extrudable GECKO grade, AVALON® 6053 AG TPU represents a major step forward in footwear – enabling the creation of outsoles that are up to 50% thinner and lighter than conventional outsoles, without compromising quality, performance or durability. The injectable AVALON® 6044 AG grade has been developed to offer fast cycle times for improved productivity. In addition, all AVALON® GECKO TPU grades offer adhesive-free bonding when paired with other TPU midsole materials and, thanks to their compatibility, can be mechanically recycled with minimal impact on material performance*. They can also be easily coloured and engineered to create different textures and surface finishes.
