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New generation of products presented at MICAM

Sep 6, 2025 Portugal

As part of the BioShoes4All project, a new product line has been developed and will be presented at the 100th edition of the MICAM footwear fair in Milan, from the 7th to the 9th of September

With 70 partners involved, including 20 research and development entities and 50 companies, the 62 million euros BioShoes4All project, funded by the PRR (Recovery and Resilience Plan) and coordinated by CTCP (Portuguese Footwear Technological Centre), has reached a pivotal stage in its development.

“We involve companies representing the entire supply chain, all of whom are focused on achieving radical change in terms of the sustainability of materials, chemicals, manufacturing processes, business models, and footwear and leather goods products”, says Maria José Ferreira, the project coordinator

She states that BioShoes4All “is the largest project ever undertaken by the Portuguese footwear industry, as well as the largest investment in research, development, innovation, and training carried out in such a short period of time”. The project “has significant potential to transform the Portuguese footwear cluster and have an international impact”.

Several new solutions have already been developed and are expected to reach the market in 2025. They will be presented to potential customers at MICAM, the largest international footwear trade fair, which will start tomorrow.

“The materials and products incorporate by-products from the production of human or animal food, such as rice husks, cereals, olive pits, chestnuts, mussel shells, vine prunings and seaweed. These by-products are used to reinforce or create new materials, insoles, reinforcements and soles. They utilise waste from national agroforestry industries, such as pine bark, coffee and olive tree extracts, for leather tanning. Waste from leather, component and footwear production is recycled to create new leather and components, including headpieces, counters, soles, and footwear”, Maria José Ferreira explained.

In addition, the new footwear and leather goods are more durable, have a smaller environmental footprint measured according to the European PEF method, and can be repairable or recyclable/circular. Furthermore, production processes are redesigned to be more human-friendly and eco-efficient, minimising the use of chemicals, energy, effluents, and production waste.

Recycling

One of BioShoes4All’s main areas of intervention is recycling. “The project addresses all materials that could potentially be used in footwear, encouraging the development of new molecules or formulas for producing leather, adhesives, rubber, polyurethane and EVA, as well as manufacturing processes that prioritise overall sustainability and closing the production cycle”, recalls Maria José Ferreira.

“Our motto is to be innovative, inclusive and efficient, and to promote zero waste”. “This new generation of leathers, insoles, and soles will therefore be up to 100% organic, recycled or recyclable, with superior features: flexibility, resistance to wear and tear, and slip resistance, to name a few”.

Investment in cutting-edge technologies for producing bioleathers, bioplastics, bio-rubber and biocomponents is also underway. “The project will contribute to the implementation of the first systems for producing components and footwear from expanded and recyclable thermoplastic materials in Europe”, she concludes.

Source and Image Credits: ctcp.pt

Innovation Portugal BioShoes4All CTCP Footwear Leather goods Micam Sustainability