Fetzen

Fast consumption, as we know it from the fashion and sneaker industry, produces enormous amounts of waste. Who is responsible for their disposal? At the beginning of the process, the question arose as to what options we have for reusing sneakers. In recycling programs such as Nike Grind, a maximum of 30% of used materials are mixed with virgin material in order to meet the requirements. These are considerable, as shoes are exposed to enormous stress but are also flexible at the same time. Wear and tear must also be minimized. High-performance materials are used on a large scale for shoes – can we somehow continue to benefit from their advantages after the shoe has been used? After all, their use is often short-lived. Nevertheless, we still face unresolved issues when it comes to their correct disposal. A combination of recycling and new production can work if we make use of the possibilities we already have and then expand them. So I decided to work with shoe sole granulate. In order to find ways to work as energy-efficiently and mono-materially as possible, I investigated forms of binding shoe sole granulate, whether through biodegradable binders or organizing systems such as membranes.

In order to be able to separate the components again afterwards, I then decided on a weldable, elastic membrane made of TPU. This means that all the components of the membrane can be recycled together and formed into a new shape. Many prototypes and mold models were created to test the properties of the membrane, with and without filling. It was important to design the right pattern to allow easy filling by airflow, but also to ensure safe and comfortable wearing. Above all, the granules must not be released into the environment. Damage can be prevented by partial reinforcements in frequently stressed areas of the shoe. The dimensions of the pattern when filled also vary depending on the two-dimensional template. Taking this into account was a challenge during the process. Welding on, thermoforming and embossing the sole and membrane provide additional design options. The color of the FETZEN is determined exclusively by the recycled granulate so that the colorless membrane can be easily recycled. This gives customers many customization options. The result is a local circular model that saves resources and can be flexibly adapted to current trends and real consumer behavior.