Footwear Applications

For athletes who want to run even a fraction of a second faster, choosing excellent shoes is just as important as rigorous training and refined tactics. To meet the high demands of runners, shoes with high rebound directly related to speed, durability that affects the lifespan of the shoe, and high shock absorption that alleviates the burden on the body are essential.

Asahi Kasei's hydrogenated styrene-based thermoplastic elastomers (SEBS) possess unique characteristics not found in other materials and can impart extremely high rebound, shock absorption, and durability to midsoles.

TUFTEC™ imparts high rebound to midsoles, ensuring that the applied force is transmitted to the ground without loss, fulfilling the needs of runners who want to run faster.

TUFTEC™ is used as a modifier to impart rebound to midsole materials such as EVA resin. TUFTEC™ P1083 and N531, in particular, excel in rebound and have been adopted in numerous high-rebound midsoles.

As midsoles continuously withstand strong impacts during landing, durability is an important evaluation factor for runners when choosing shoes.

Using TUFTEC™ P1083 and N531 can reduce “compression set,” which is the percentage of deformation that remains after a material has been subjected to compressive force. This extends the lifespan of midsoles.

Running involves continuous repetitive movements, which can put significant strain on specific parts of the body, potentially leading to injuries.

S.O.E.™ has a unique characteristic of having a tanδ peak near room temperature, resulting in excellent shock absorption. It imparts high cushioning to midsoles, which reduces the burden on joints during landing, contributing to the health of runners.