The fully bio-based degradable shoes released this time were developed by the Advanced Elastomer Materials Research Center of the School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology. The sole innovation uses the bio-based degradable polyester rubber material independently developed by Beihua. The upper is made of bio-based degradable hemp fiber or bamboo fiber material. The insole, shoelace and shoe glue also choose bio-based degradable materials. It can maintain stability in the daily environment and degrade rapidly under composting conditions, with a degradation rate of more than 70% within 130 days.

After 18 years of scientific research, the scientific research team created the bio-based degradable polyester rubber material by using molecular structure design, broke through the continuous production process problem of high molecular weight polyester rubber, completed the continuous pilot test of 1,000 tons, and realized its It is used in biodegradable shoes, tires, oil-resistant sealing rings, polylactic acid toughening agents, thermoplastic vulcanizates and other rubber fields.

Wang Chao, a professor at the School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, said that for a long time, due to the lack of biodegradable rubber materials in the world, it was difficult to prepare biodegradable soles, which severely limited the development of fully biodegradable shoes. China produces nearly 1 billion pairs of discarded shoes every year. If it cannot be recycled and disposed of effectively, it will easily pose a threat to the natural environment.

Since 2019, team members have focused on serving the national “double carbon” strategy, with the concept of “innovation, low carbon, environmental protection, and health”, committed to the development of fully biodegradable shoes. After three years of research, through molecular structure design, The research on composition regulation and interfacial interaction of rubber composites solves the contradiction between sole degradation and service performance, and prepares fully biodegradable rubber soles that meet performance requirements.

After many times of research and development and try-on, the center has overcome the problem of bonding between degradable soles and uppers and uppers, completed the production of fully biodegradable shoes, opened up the process of mass production, and carried out small batches Production. In the next step, the center will strengthen cooperation with shoe companies to speed up the mass production of fully bio-based degradable shoes.

Tan Tianwei, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and President of Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Zhang Liqun, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Vice President of Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Wang Yimin, Director of the Science and Technology and Equipment Department of China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation, Liang Aimin, President of China Synthetic Rubber Industry Association, China Rubber Industry Association Vice President and Secretary-General Lei Changchun and other guests attended the event and delivered speeches.