Dow Footwear Solutions debuts at the K 2007 after its launch by The Dow Chemical Company as a specialist business unit focusing on delivering new levels of innovation to one of the world’s most demanding consumer markets.
Tony Frencham, General Manager of Dow Footwear Solutions, said that this newly-formed business unit is built on more than 20 years as a supplier of innovative Polyurethane and Polyolefin products to the footwear industry. “The entire Dow offering, including our best-in-class material science capabilities is now able to be applied to develop solutions that meet the future needs of footwear designers, brand owners, manufacturers and marketers.”
Frencham cited Timberland’s selection of VORALAST R ™ polyurethane soling system from Dow for its Mion® spring 2008 line of outdoor footwear as an example of his business’s close relationships with the footwear industry’s leading brand owners.
“Our direct experience of working with the leading brand owners in this fast-changing market shows us that there are three key dynamics we need to address – the appeal of modern footwear, driven by leading-edge fashion; the comfort for the wearer, particularly in the area of sporting and outdoor footwear; and the constant challenge of cost management.”
Building on its traditional capabilities in material science, Dow has developed a global portfolio of raw materials and systems for key components in the footwear industry, from outsole, midsole and footbed through to air bladders and innovative molded components.
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