Coats Footwear is collaborating with the Lenzing Group's Tencel Lyocell Filament to create reimagined footwear uppers and fabrics using ProWeave for better sustainability and performance.
Derived from renewable raw material wood sourced from controlled and certified forests, Tencel Lyocell Filament is manufactured using resource-efficient production processes that recycle process water and reuse the solvent.
ProWeave is a unique jacquard weaving technology that seamlessly integrates multi-functionality and design freedom weaving in an exclusive engineered upper or fabric.
"This is a fascinating alliance for Coats Footwear, the Lenzing Group, and the wider industry. From day one, it was clear this was a natural partnership. Both companies have combined objectives regarding sustainability," said Paul Jackson, ProWeave Business Unit Leader at Coats Footwear.
"We are committed to helping companies reduce the environmental impact of textile and footwear production processes by providing best-in-class materials and manufacturing technologies. Together, we're revolutionising how uppers and materials can be made – giving footwear brands and manufacturers a chance to build high-level sustainable products in the most innovative way possible, with zero constraints on creativity."
These reimagined fabrics will be used in the prototype of Circle Sportswear's "SuperNatural Runner," the first synthetic-free performance footwear to use Tencel Lyocell Filament blended with wool using ProWeave technology and other bio-based materials.
Combining these technologies will produce stylish and comfortable uppers and fabrics, functioning like a second skin and improving supply chain traceability, bio-sustainability, and lowering the carbon footprint.
"The footwear segment has always been innovative and offers endless possibilities for developing technical applications of the Tencel brand. We are truly excited to partner with Coats Footwear to create exciting footwear uppers and fabrics with botanic origins," said Nicole Schram, Global Business Development Manager, Apparel (Footwear) at Lenzing Group.
"Combining the unique features of Tencel Lyocell staple fibres and filament and ProWeave technology, we believe the sky is the limit for innovating next-generation, planet-friendly footwear. We will continue to work closely with Coats Footwear and other industry partners to innovate materials for a dynamic footwear industry environment."
In addition to Tencel Lyocell Filament, Coats Footwear is working closely with Lenzing to explore adopting Tencel-branded lyocell and modal fibres in footwear uppers and fabrics.
