Lignin-based foams for high performance sports cushioning

Purpose and goal:

There is a great demand in the high-performance athletics market to shift towards sustainable materials. The foamed materials are mostly made of petroleum based elastomers. The main goal here is to evaluate lignin elastomer foams as a bio-based alternative.

Specific objectives include (i) optimizing the chemistry and additives to match the expected mechanical properties, (ii) prepare batches of optimized lignin elastomer, (iii) prepare and test small-scale prototypes (iv) demonstrate and pitch the concept to brand owners. Expected results and effects:

Global athletic footwear market was 127 billion USD in 2021, with negligible contribution of bio-plastics. Bioplastics are becoming increasingly explored, but are plagued with a negative reputation of being too expensive with poorer performance. The main impact of this project is to increase the visibility of lignin elastomers in a high-visibility consumer segment, where performance is an important aspect.

As a knock-on effect, lignin elastomers (and bioplastics) will become more accepted as alternatives for other industrial segments where high-performance is important. Approach and implementation:

RISE has internally built up a know how to tailor lignin elastomer according to different industrial needs. Reed Kram AB has the expertise in small-scale prototyping and has extensive experience of the needs of the market. In the first part of the project, RISE will mainly focus on tailoring the material synthesis, scalable production processes. Selected batches will be sent to Reed Kram AB for testing and evaluation. RISE and Reed Kram AB will together formulate an exploitation plan.