The Reebok Future team recently unveiled its first product from its 'Cotton + Corn' sustainability initiative, and it is the NPC UK Cotton sneakers. Last year, the sportswear label announced the initiative to develop footwear with materials that grow -- this includes synthetic rubber and petroleum. The new NPC UK Cotton shoes are constructed from 100% cotton across the uppers, castor bean oil and completely recycled packing make up its insoles, and it all sits on top of a corn-based sole.
Notably, the NPC UK Cotton + Corn shoe is the only footwear currently on the market that is certified to have 75% USDA certified biobased materials derived from field corn. The sustainable sneakers are made in partnership with DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products.
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Sustainable Footwear
- Developing sneakers with materials that are environmentally friendly and sustainable presents an opportunity for disruptive innovation in the footwear industry.
- Biomaterials
- The use of biomaterials derived from field corn and castor bean oil in sneakers opens up possibilities for disruptive innovation in the materials industry.
- Circular Economy
- Creating sneakers with recycled packaging and a corn-based sole aligns with the principles of a circular economy, offering potential for disruptive innovation in the sustainability sector.
Sectors Adopting This
- Footwear
- The development of sustainable sneakers presents a disruptive innovation opportunity within the footwear industry.
- Materials
- The use of biomaterials in sneakers creates an opportunity for disruptive innovation within the materials industry.
- Sustainability
- The incorporation of recycled packaging and a corn-based sole in sneakers provides a disruptive innovation opportunity in the sustainability industry.
