#Textile chemistry

2019-02-15

HUNTSMAN launches five new footwear technologies ahead of SIMAC 2019

Ahead of this year’s SIMAC show in Milan, Italy, Huntsman’s footwear team has announced the launch of three new water-blown polyurethane technologies that it will be promoting at the 2019 footwear fair. The business also revealed details of two brand new AVALON® thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) grades.

New technologies will be key focus at forthcoming footwear event

Visit Huntsman at SIMAC 2019 - Hall 14, Booth A44: 20 to 22 February 2019

Four months after launching its DALTOPED® AquaPUR technology, Huntsman has developed three additional technologies – creating a portfolio of innovative, fully water-blown, polyether soling solutions that provide excellent flow and surface definition and can improve the look and feel of shoe soles.

DALTOPED® AquaPUR GRIP technology delivers all the advantages of DALTOPED® AquaPUR technology but offers a softer compound resulting in greater slip resistance.

DALTOPED® AquaPUR Lite technology enables footwear manufacturers to decrease the weight of shoe soles by up to 35% and is ideal for the production of slippers and low heel sandals.

DALTOPED® AquaPUR Lite ENERGY technology is perfect for high quality footwear thanks to its superior energy return which offers up to 40% more rebound than standard systems.

Huntsman’s DALTOPED® AquaPUR technologies are designed for footwear manufacturers that want to make the switch to using a water-blown system but don’t want to compromise on quality. As standard, DALTOPED® AquaPUR technologies provide good cold flex properties plus hydrolysis and slip resistance. Suitable for the direct-on process and casting of unit soles and midsoles, DALTOPED®AquaPUR technologies are compatible with standard polyurethane processing machines. Offering excellent flow characteristics, they can enable the production of complex soling designs in multiple color combinations. They also have superior blend stability in the machine tank and can be processed at room temperature - which helps reduce energy consumption and shortens the production cycle.

Huntsman will also be promoting two brand new highly transparent TPU grades at SIMAC 2019. AVALON® 65 DHT TPU and AVALON® 85 AHT TPU are the latest additions to the company’s popular AVALON® AHT range, which was first launched back in 2014. Providing harder and softer alternatives to AVALON® 90 AHT and AVALON® 95 AHT grades, the new grades join a family of products that offer excellent UV resistance combined with high mechanical properties.

Huntsman and Steitz Secura deliver breakthrough in sustainable safety footwear

Huntsman, in collaboration with Steitz Secura, has developed a breakthrough polyurethane (PU) solution that can help improve the circularity of safety footwear. Together, the two companies have created a DALTOPED® polyurethane midsole system that can incorporate recycled content without compromising performance – setting a new benchmark in protective footwear production.

Huntsman secures bluesign® APPROVED status for IROGRAN® TPU products

Global chemical company Huntsman has secured bluesign® approval for ten of its IROGRAN® thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) products, which are used extensively across the textile and apparel industry. The materials in question are part of Huntsman’s IROGRAN® film and sheet portfolio, and can be used to enhance the production, performance, and comfort of stitchless, seamless garments including underwear, sportswear, and outdoor and waterproof clothing.

Ascend Performance Materials secures court approval for restructuring and appoints new CEO

Ascend Performance Materials has reached a major milestone in its Chapter 11 process: the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas has confirmed the company’s Plan of Reorganization. Ascend expects to emerge from Chapter 11 by year’s end with a significantly improved capital structure. In parallel with the restructuring progress, Ascend announced a leadership change.

Indorama Ventures ranks first globally in ChemScore 2025 for excellence in chemicals management and environmental performance

Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited (IVL), a global sustainable chemicals company, has been ranked first globally with a green card in ChemScore 2025, the internationally recognized benchmark developed by ChemSec, assessing the environmental performance and chemical management of the world’s 40 largest chemical companies. The company has consistently found itself in the top three ChemScore companies and scored twice as high on average as the Asia-based companies taken together.

Mimaki demonstrates versatile, simple TRAPIS textile printing at Heimtextil 2026

Mimaki’s textile pigment transfer printing system, TRAPIS, is able to print on a diverse range of fabrics - unlike traditional processes - including natural fibres and synthetic fabrics. The full solution will be shown on Mimaki’s booth (Hall 3.0 Stand A97), as the company returns to Heimtextil to showcase its advancements in sustainable, high quality and efficient textile printing.

The Technology Hub for global denim trends: ITM 2026

The ITM 2026 International Textile Machinery Exhibition, to be held at the Tüyap Fair and Congress Center in Istanbul from June 9–13, 2026, brings together groundbreaking technologies in denim production. From smart production systems to eco-friendly raw materials, from digital washing solutions to laser effect technologies, innovations that will shape the future of denim will be showcased for the first time at ITM 2026.

38th International Cotton Conference Bremen: Let´s Talk about Cotton!

The 38th International Cotton Conference Bremen, to be held on 25-27 March 2026 in Bremen’s parliament building on market square, once again sends a powerful signal for professional excellence and international dialogue. The focus is on the latest market trends and technical innovations throughout the entire value chain – from agriculture and quality assurance to processing and the circular economy. With its high-calibre speakers, the conference remains an indispensable forum for anyone involved in shaping the cotton industry scientifically, technically, or economically.