3D-Printed Knit Sneakers

These Kicks Made From Polymer Yarn are Completely Recyclable

Royal College of Art graduate Ammo Liao created these knit sneakers for the 2015 graduation show. The sneakers are called Bio-Knit trainers due to the eco-friendly fabric each shoe is made with. Every part of the shoe from the soles to the uppers is made from a 3D-printed recyclable material.

The shoes are made from a single polymer yarn-like material that is extremely flexible and allows each shoe to be comfortable and easily movable. The uppers of each shoe are knitted flat and then attached to the 3D-printed sole.

The idea for the knit sneakers came from Ammo Liao’s desire to create a shoe that could be recycled. The use of a single polymer allows the entire shoe to be recycled without going through a sorting process, which saves money, time and resources.

3d-printed Knit Sneakers
Opportunity for disruptive innovation in sustainable footwear through the use of 3D printing and recyclable materials.
Eco-friendly Fabric
Opportunity for disruptive innovation in sustainable textiles using bio-knit materials for various applications.
Single Polymer Yarn
Opportunity for disruptive innovation in recyclable materials using single polymer yarn for versatile products.

Industries Being Reshaped

Footwear
Opportunity for disruptive innovation in the footwear industry by creating environmentally friendly and recyclable sneakers.
Textiles
Opportunity for disruptive innovation in the textile industry through the development of eco-friendly fabrics made from polymer yarn.
Materials Recycling
Opportunity for disruptive innovation in the recycling industry by promoting the use of recyclable materials like single polymer yarn for various applications.
SCORE
3.4 out of 10
GENDER
70% Men30% Women
MARKETTop markets: North America, Europe
GENERATION
  • Gen Z
  • Gen Alpha
  • Millennial (primary audience)
  • Gen X (primary audience)
POPULARITY
Popularity 20%
Activity 74%
Freshness 8%

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