# Sustainable Corn-Based Sneakers The Reebok Future Team Launches the NPC UK Cotton Sneakers By Amy Duong | Published 2018-08-14 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/npc-uk-cotton References: [core77](https://www.core77.com/posts/79264/Reebok-Announces-Sneakers-with-a-Corn-Based-Sole) & [go.redirectingat](https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=112637X1571157&xs=1&isjs=1&url=https://reebok.com/CottonandCorn&xguid=6548f29113f5f3492d1c6e6c5656c92f&xuuid=c5a6e355ecea620ac7dfd8a63da33ee8&xsessid=36f59159de2378483ce20e3f809aba28&xcreo=0&xed=0&sref=https://www.core77.com/posts/79264/Reebok-Announces-Sneakers-with-a-Corn-Based-Sole&xtz=240&jv=13.7.1&bv=2.5.1) The [Reebok Future](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hemp-club-c-revenge-and-beatnik-slide-for-fall) 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](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pacific-foods-1) certified biobased materials derived from field corn. The sustainable sneakers are made in partnership with [DuPont Tate & Lyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/recycled-furniture-pieces) Bio Products. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.7/10 - Popularity: 96% | Activity: 97% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### 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. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Compostable Sole Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/swave-sport.md) - [Textile-to-Textile Recycled Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/allbirds-remix.md) - [Sustainable Running Shoe Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/supernatural-runner.md) - [Eco Cactus Leather Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mercer-rerun-sneaker.md) - [Plastic-Free Compostable Sportswear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/organic-athletic.md) - [Sustainable Open-Style Sneaker Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/keen-uneek-360.md) - [Sustainable Knitted Toddler Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/swoosh-1-trainer.md) - [Petroleum Product-Free Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-ripple-shoe.md) - [Plant-Based Footwear Outsoles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/natural-rubber-outsoles.md)