{"id":1209,"date":"2024-09-06T07:21:13","date_gmt":"2024-09-06T11:21:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.elastomer.kuraray.com\/us\/?p=1209"},"modified":"2025-05-20T04:58:18","modified_gmt":"2025-05-20T08:58:18","slug":"polyurethane-soles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.elastomer.kuraray.com\/us\/blog\/polyurethane-soles\/","title":{"rendered":"PU soles have conquered the shoe industry\u2014and the market keeps growing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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PU soles have conquered the shoe industry\u2014and the market keeps growing<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Author<\/p>

Robin Conrad<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n

As a single material that offers durability, flexibility, affordability, comfort, and style, polyurethane has quickly become the standard in soles of every kind across the footwear<\/a><\/strong> manufacturing industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Valued at USD 4.6 billion in 2021, the global PU soles market grew 20% in just two years to USD 5.5 billion in 2023\u2014and is expected to nearly double to USD 10.1 billion<\/strong> by the end of 2030<\/strong>. With over 85%<\/strong> of total global footwear production, the Asian and Pacific market leads in the innovation of PU soles<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experts anticipate the global polyurethane market volume, driven by increased use in footwear<\/a><\/strong>, will grow from 27.1 million metric tons to an impressive 31.3 million metric tons<\/strong>. Read on to learn why polyurethane is the new material of choice<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Global PU sole market value continues to soar, driven by innovation and demand in Asia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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What are polyurethane soles?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Polyurethane soles are an innovative, tailorable class of shoe components that are quickly becoming the preferred choice of footwear manufacturers around the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thanks to their durability, flexibility, and comfort, polyurethane products are widely used for insoles, midsoles, outsoles, and more. You can find polyurethane soles in shoes of every type<\/a><\/strong>, from slippers and sneakers to work and safety shoes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To understand what\u2019s driving their takeover of the footwear manufacturing market, let\u2019s take a look at the various types of PU soles and their benefits. For a differentiated picture, we\u2019ll also cover their disadvantages and how they compare to other common sole materials.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Polyurethane soles are used in shoes of every type<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Types of PU soles<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

PU soles can be tailored to fit a wide variety of applications depending on their type, form factor, chemical basis, and additives.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Solid vs. cellular PU soles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Solid PU soles<\/strong> consist of solid polyurethane, often formed using a mold. These products tend to be shinier, heavier, and tougher and are most often used as outsoles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cellular PU soles<\/strong> (also known as foam rubber soles) are produced by injecting an expanding agent into liquid polyurethane, giving it a cellular structure that is spongier and lighter, with lower density and durability. These products are most often used in midsoles and insoles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Polyurethane soles can also be single pieces with two densities<\/strong>: a softer and more flexible top layer for comfort and a tough, treaded bottom layer for durability.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Polyester vs. polyether PU soles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Polyurethane is produced through a reaction of isocyanates and polyols. Various polyols can be used in this process to adjust the molecular weight and material properties of the resulting polyurethane, which is most commonly either polyester PU or polyether PU.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Polyester PU soles<\/strong> come in densities ranging from 280 to 1,100 g\/L and can be used as insoles, midsoles, and outsoles. They offer improved chemical, oil, heat, and abrasion resistance and are often used in safety shoes and sports shoes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Polyether PU soles<\/strong> are typically around 450 to 600 g\/L in density and are often used as monodensity soles. They can be processed at room temperature, have a superior finish, and are water resistant, making them good choices for street shoes and sandals.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Polyurethanes can have their type and density tailored to meet almost any application<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Thermosetting (PU) vs. thermoplastic PU (TPU) soles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Thermosetting polyurethane is the most common variety used in soles and the focus of this blog post. Thermoplastic<\/a> polyurethane<\/strong>, or TPU, is a variant with qualities closer to a rubber that can be melted and reformed, so-called thermoplastic elastomers. TPU is a more expensive option that is less flexible and less slip-resistant, but lightweight, chemical-resistant, and cut-resistant.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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PU insoles vs. midsoles vs. outsoles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Polyurethane formulations and production processes are often varied to produce materials suited to insoles, midsoles, or outsoles. Insoles and midsoles are generally lighter, more comfortable, and more flexible, while outsoles tend to be heavier and tougher.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Polyurethane is well-suited for every type of sole<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Advantages of PU<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Footwear needs to be comfortable, durable, and light, properties that PU soles offer in a convenient, cost-effective package. The many advantages of PU soles make them a great fit for most footwear applications<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Polyurethane soles offer excellent material properties:<\/p>\n\n\n\n