Huntsman and Steitz Secura Advance Circularity in Safety Footwear with Recycled PU Innovation

Huntsman, in partnership with German safety footwear manufacturer Steitz Secura, has developed an innovative polyurethane (PU) midsole solution that significantly enhances circularity within the protective footwear sector. The breakthrough DALTOPED® polyurethane system enables scrap PU generated during shoe production to be reintegrated back into new midsoles, reducing waste without requiring any modifications to existing manufacturing processes or chemistry.

PU is a critical material in safety footwear, providing both comfort and essential protective qualities, yet managing production scrap has traditionally posed a sustainability challenge. By leveraging Huntsman’s technical expertise in PU formulation and circular solutions, the collaboration has successfully created midsoles containing up to 20% recycled PU while maintaining the high safety and durability standards demanded by industrial footwear markets.

Ongoing development has pushed this achievement further, enabling new midsoles with recycled content of up to 30%, demonstrating significant progress in resource efficiency and waste reduction. Steitz Secura’s Head of PUR, Wolfgang Burkhard, emphasised the company’s strong commitment to innovation and sustainability, highlighting the tangible benefits of reusing production scrap to deliver high-performance products that support cleaner manufacturing practices.

Huntsman’s Business Development Circularity Manager, Alex Stepuk, noted that the project exemplifies how collaborative, value-driven partnerships can accelerate meaningful sustainability advancements, offering scalable solutions that support the growing demand for circular, premium protective footwear worldwide.

Extensive development, validation and industrial-scale trials with Steitz Secura have ensured that the recycled-content midsoles continue to deliver uncompromised comfort, safety and durability, even in demanding professional environments. Huntsman, a global leader in polyurethane footwear systems, continues to support sustainable progress through expertise in formulating high-performance PU materials, integrating recycled content, and working with a strong ecosystem of partners committed to reducing environmental impact.

The success of this initiative demonstrates what is achievable when industry leaders align around shared environmental goals and work together to close material loops, turning production waste into valuable resources and advancing the transition towards a more circular footwear industry.

Source: Huntsman