Panorama of natural fibers applied in Brazilian footwear: materials and market

Abstract

Footwear material is of great importance mainly considering the user's health. There are many components in contact with upper and mainly lower part of foot, being the sole essential part to weight distribution, muscle activity and vertebral column. This study aimed to verify how the natural fibers are applied at Brazilian market footwear, demonstrating the types of raw materials utilized, textile constructions and other variables. As well as comparing the information at natural fibers applications data from economics sources and material employment at the footwear international market. The methodology was based in literature research and interviews with Brazilian companies. The employment of natural fibers in footwear corresponds to a small part in comparison of synthetic fibers. Cellulosic fibers have been researched to reinforce rubbers and they are applied to sole as snow footwear. In addition, these fibers are being researched as biodegradable materials, showing innovations for instance, the use of leather waste, coconut fiber and latex, multilayers fabrics and finishing process adding bactericide properties to cotton. Brazilian footwear industry is finding solutions to reduce production costs in order to compete in the international market. One of the strategies is the gradual replacement of leather by fabrics, synthetic polymers and rubbers. The interviews identified the employment of cotton, raffia and jute fabrics especially in footwear summer collections. Thus, the increasing of researches about recycling footwear components and the development of biodegradable materials points a sustainability trend in this sector.

Vegetable Cellulose Fibers in Natural Rubber Composites

“…For example, Mercedes-Benz has used natural rubber/coconut fiber composites to manufacture the support of the dashboard and the surface of the seats and backrests of the C-, S-, E-, and A-class vehicles of the Mercedes 164/251 2004 model [70,115]. Natural rubber composites reinforced with sugarcane bagasse have good mechanical properties, such as hardness and Young's modulus, but exhibit poor abrasion and stress resistance [85,116,117]. In other side, the composite materials have been implemented in footwear to prevent slipping on ice, using bamboo fibers as reinforcement to increase the Young's modulus and hardness, which improves the coefficient of friction (COF).…”

“…Natural rubber composites reinforced with sugarcane bagasse have good mechanical properties, such as hardness and Young's modulus, but exhibit poor abrasion and stress resistance [85,116,117]. In other side, the composite materials have been implemented in footwear to prevent slipping on ice, using bamboo fibers as reinforcement to increase the Young's modulus and hardness, which improves the coefficient of friction (COF).…”

Preparation and Characterization of Biomass Tannin-Based Flexible Foam Insoles for Athletes

“…According to a report by the APICCAPS, global footwear production totaled 22 billion pairs in 2021, an increase of 8.6% from 2020, and is expected to grow every year [ 1 ]. Since the increasing consumption of footwear will result in a large amount of polymer waste in our environment, it is essential to develop footwear components with biodegradable properties [ 2 , 3 ]. Insoles are a major footwear component that enhances the wearer’s comfort.…”

Composite for insole shoe assembly based on polyvinyl acetate and polyester fabric waste from the footwear industry

“…The production of shoes remains at an accelerated pace, including in Brazil, which has been a top producer in the sector worldwide. [ 6 ] Indeed, footwear is very important in the Brazilian industrial sector. In 2018, 944 million pairs were produced (approx.…”