An example of where new technologies have been used to improve performance and reduce environmental impacts is the adidas FORMOTION™ heel component for footwear. FORMOTION™ is a free-moving heel system that is decoupled from the sole which allows a pair of trainers to adapt to each individual’s running style to give a smoother running experience....
An example of where new technologies have been used to improve performance and reduce environmental impacts is the adidas FORMOTION™ heel component for footwear. FORMOTION™ is a free-moving heel system that is decoupled from the sole which allows a pair of trainers to adapt to each individual’s running style to give a smoother running experience.
Sometimes our learning comes from another industry; the hot runner technology we use for some of our FORMOTION™ heel components has been widely used in other areas like the automotive sector.
The hot runners used in FORMOTION™ reduce waste by eliminating sprue units. The sprue is the passage through which melted plastic is injected. During the injection process the melt hardens in the sprue which means it needs to be removed from the finished product and thrown away. Eliminating sprues thanks to the use of hot runners has reduced material waste by up to 50%.
A modular mould system which allows for the same mould base to be used on different products also reduces waste. And using lighter, stiffer materials means less material is used and also cuts down on carbon emissions because the finished product is lighter to transport.
Finally, for our current development, the amount of glue used has been reduced by using laser welding or a mechanical locking design, thereby reducing emissions. And where glue is used, the team has specified water-based glues as much as possible.
FORMOTION™ environmental benefits
- Using hot runners means up to 50% less material waste
- Less glue so fewer toxic emissions
- Lightweight construction technologies reduces material use and CO2 emissions from transport
- Modular mould system allows for sharing mould bases between products and so reduces mould material waste.