3DTI
Innovative 3D Thermoform Injection technology for circular footwear manufacturing
Publieke samenvatting / Public summary
Aanleiding
Each week 20 million pairs of kids shoes end up in landfill around the world. The materials that are used are largely based on fossil fuels, the shoes are composed of several materials and are very difficult to recycle. Apart from this, the footwear industry faces significant challenges including reliance on production abroad, long development lead times, high development costs and complex supply chains. In addition, the footwear industry loses 20% of its revenue due to returned goods. As shoe companies are looking for ways to react to current consumer needs they are therefore looking into: • (Process) Design for circularity • Local, flexible production and local supply chain • (Semi-)Customization
Doelstelling
WTFVC has developed a local innovative manufacturing solution, 3D Thermoform Injection Technology for circular footwear manufacturing (3DTI), that solves these significant issues faced by the footwear industry. WTFVC will show that it's possible to completely eliminate footwear from landfill. This will enable consumers to make confident purchasing decisions and will encourage other footwear brands to be more responsible in their approach to manufacturing. In this project this 3DTI process is tested on a pilot-scale, which will form the main part of a future complete micro-manufacturing line.
Korte omschrijving
Activities consist of the design, build and pilot testing of a 3DTI pilot installation for the manufacturing of footwear.
Resultaat
The following tangible results are expected at the end of this pilot project: • A pilot installation of the 3DTI process, consisting of 4 production steps. • Pilot testing of this installation. • Different, tested, prototype shoe models. • A technical report of test results.
Each week 20 million pairs of kids shoes end up in landfill around the world. The materials that are used are largely based on fossil fuels, the shoes are composed of several materials and are very difficult to recycle. Apart from this, the footwear industry faces significant challenges including reliance on production abroad, long development lead times, high development costs and complex supply chains. In addition, the footwear industry loses 20% of its revenue due to returned goods. As shoe companies are looking for ways to react to current consumer needs they are therefore looking into: • (Process) Design for circularity • Local, flexible production and local supply chain • (Semi-)Customization
Doelstelling
WTFVC has developed a local innovative manufacturing solution, 3D Thermoform Injection Technology for circular footwear manufacturing (3DTI), that solves these significant issues faced by the footwear industry. WTFVC will show that it's possible to completely eliminate footwear from landfill. This will enable consumers to make confident purchasing decisions and will encourage other footwear brands to be more responsible in their approach to manufacturing. In this project this 3DTI process is tested on a pilot-scale, which will form the main part of a future complete micro-manufacturing line.
Korte omschrijving
Activities consist of the design, build and pilot testing of a 3DTI pilot installation for the manufacturing of footwear.
Resultaat
The following tangible results are expected at the end of this pilot project: • A pilot installation of the 3DTI process, consisting of 4 production steps. • Pilot testing of this installation. • Different, tested, prototype shoe models. • A technical report of test results.