The footwear industry moves towards a circular economy model based on a better utilisation of raw materials and a more efficient and environmentally-friendly use, as well as waste recovery through its transformation into higher added value products.

Raw materials scarcity and the need for a more efficient use requires closing the loop of the footwear and footwear components lifecycle by recycling and reusing, embracing the whole value chain from design through production, distribution and use, up to the end of life as waste. To this end, INESCOP is working on several research lines in different fields to contribute to the implementation of circular economy in the footwear sector, according to the H2030 objectives set by the European Union.

MAIN RESEARCH LINES

• Eco-design applied to footwear
• Footwear carbon footprint
• Energy recovery from footwear waste
• Footwear waste recycling/reuse into footwear components or other consumer goods
• Biopolymers obtained from raw hides waste to be used as microencapsulating agents
• Hydrolysed collagen obtained from animal by-products and its application in leather production and as an organic fertiliser
• Polyurethane adhesives obtained using CO2 as a feedstock
• Adhesives and additives obtained from vegetable oils as renewable sources
• Implementation of low-impact production processes to obtain multifunctional materials