Advancing Running Shoe Sustainability with Biopolymers

Mount to Coast, a leader in ultrarunning footwear, has partnered with BASF to introduce CircleCELL™, an innovative running shoe midsole. The midsole, made from BASF’s ecoflex® BMB, blends sustainability with high performance, offering enhanced durability and energy return. This collaboration marks a significant step toward eco-friendly advancements in sports footwear.

The collaboration between Mount to Coast, based in Hong Kong, and BASF, headquartered in Germany, aims to explore sustainable solutions for high-performance sports footwear. The result of this partnership is CircleCELL™, a midsole that leverages BASF’s biomass-balanced ecoflex® BMB to deliver performance without compromising on sustainability.

Marcel Philipp Barth, BASF’s Global Business Manager for Biopolymers, states: "Since 1998, when ecoflex^® was introduced on the plastics market, customers in many different industries have come to know and trust it for its consistently high quality, performance and the sustainability benefits it brings to their products."

Biopolymer Innovation: The ecoflex® BMB material replaces fossil raw materials with renewable feedstock derived from organic waste and biomass. Certified through REDcert2 and ISCC PLUS, the biomass balance approach ensures that the renewable resources are attributed directly to the product.

Enhanced Performance: Compared to conventional materials like polyether block amide (PEBA), ecoflex® BMB midsoles are 90% more durable while maintaining similar energy return. In-house testing by BASF confirms the material’s superior density and rebound properties, making it ideal for the rigorous demands of ultrarunning.

Yeti Zhang, Mount to Coast's Head of Product, remarks: "We are committed to creating shoes through sustainable materials and innovative processes without compromising the specific performance needs of ultrarunners. BASF has been a crucial partner in supporting our product development team as we search for ways to balance durability and sustainability."

Mount to Coast’s adoption of ecoflex® BMB marks a critical milestone for sustainable innovation in the footwear industry. CircleCELL™ midsoles combine environmental responsibility with the durability and performance runners expect.

The biomass balance approach exemplifies a sustainable manufacturing method, paving the way for broader adoption of biopolymers in various industries.

• Durability: 90% more durable than PEBA alternatives.
• Sustainability: Utilises renewable feedstock certified by REDcert2 and ISCC PLUS.
• Energy Return: Matches industry-leading standards for performance running shoes.