BASF at SIMAC Tanning Tech 2019

From February 20-22, 2019, Simac, the international machinery and technology exhibition for shoes, was held in Milan. BASF presented the newest material developments together with Ultrasim^® computer simulation, targeted specifically on manufacturing optimized shanks for shoes.

"Organic Evo" - Footwear Design Contest 2018

The twelfth competition, sponsored jointly by the Italian Politecnico Calzaturiero and BASF Italia, was held under the banner “Organic Evo”. Students designed sneakers whose anti-geometric forms were supposed to represent natural phenomena.

Guided by design and modelling teachers, they come up with their highly-creative interpretations for the sole project, designing and producing original and innovative sneaker models and produced in collaboration with BASF Italia.

The sole has been designed by Luca Bugliesi, inviting the students to design shoes where style meets technology. A panel of professionals selected the three best footwear styles from a point of view of concept and design. The best designs, the soles of which came from the Italian designer Luca Bugliesi, were exhibited at the Simac.

The Winning Shoes of the Footwear Design Contest 2018

Sustainable Footwear Materials by BASF and Analco

Having sustainable materials for sole production in its portfolio – one of the benefits from BASF. The years-long partnership between BASF and Analco also bore fruit for the latest initiative: With its Elastopan^® Green (PUR) and Elastollan^® N (TPU), BASF was able to offer products manufactured from up to 50 % bio-based renewable raw materials – certified by ASTM D 6866-12. At the same time, it should be noted that these are not obtained from agricultural products, and thus do not reduce acreage used for food production.

Shanks made easy! Lightweight shanks thanks to computer simulation and material innovation

Another highlight at BASF's booth at Simac was the Shank computer similation. Ultrasim^®, the comprehensive and flexible CAE competence of BASF, has been employed for the first time in the shoe industry. Using Ultrasim^® simulation technology, it is possible to design highly stressed lightweight parts efficiently with the goal of meeting specific requirements. In this way, BASF was able to manufacture a lighter TPU shank. The greatest benefit of this BASF service is reaped by customers who use closed shanks with surface optimization.

Impressions from Simac 2019