Vivobarefoot debuts one-of-a-kind eco-friendly shoes that are 3D printed, cut down on CO2 emissions, and are biodegradable. Could this be the future of footwear?
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The footwear industry is taking steps towards a more regenerative future. Vivobarefoot, a pioneering footwear manufacturer, has partnered with Balena, a material science company, to develop the world’s first 3D printed and made-to-measure footwear that is fully compostable. This revolutionary collaboration aims to create a new system and new materials that align with nature, allowing us to move as intended and return footwear to nature when no longer needed.
The Partnership: Vivobarefoot and Balena
Vivobarefoot and Balena share a common purpose of using technology and science as a force for good. By combining their expertise, they aim to revolutionize the footwear industry with regenerative bare-footwear. The partnership focuses on creating 3D printed, made-to-measure footwear using Balena’s proprietary BioCir®flex material. This compostable, biobased, and recyclable thermoplastic material offers durability and high performance for sustainable products.
“The world doesn’t need new shoes. We need a new system and new materials. This future is literally at our feet, and this footwear will enable us to reconnect to nature, move as nature intended, and return the footwear to nature when you’re done.” – Asher Clark, Founder of Vivobarefoot
Introducing VivoBiome: A Radical Approach to Footwear
Vivobarefoot’s innovative approach to footwear is embodied in their VivoBiome system. Derived from the term “biomimetic” – meaning to imitate or mimic life – VivoBiome aims to completely redefine how footwear is made, used, and experienced. The vision is to create a scan-to-print circular bare-footwear system that enables made-to-order, made-to-measure, locally made, and remade footwear.
Made-to-Order: On-Demand Footwear
The VivoBiome system embraces on-demand production, allowing customers to order footwear tailored specifically to their needs. Through precise scans of a customer’s feet, 3D printers can fabricate the footwear locally, reducing the need for shipping and minimizing carbon emissions associated with transportation.
Made-to-Measure: Bespoke Fit for Optimum Comfort
One size does not fit all, especially when it comes to footwear. VivoBiome offers made-to-measure options, ensuring a bespoke fit for each individual. This personalized approach enhances natural movement and promotes foot health by providing optimum comfort and support.
Made Locally: Supporting Local Manufacturing
VivoBiome’s hub in the UK is just the beginning. The goal is to expand to Germany and the US, establishing local manufacturing facilities to promote sustainability and reduce the carbon footprint associated with long-distance transportation. By producing footwear locally, VivoBiome aims to support local economies and create job opportunities.
Made to be Remade: A Circular Approach
Traditional footwear production often leads to waste and pollution. VivoBiome challenges this by adopting a circular approach to footwear. The materials used in VivoBiome footwear are compostable, allowing them to be returned to the ground safely in an industrial compost environment. This complete decomposition and biodegradation process ensures a fully circular system that aligns with a sustainable future.
Balena’s BioCir®flex: A Compostable Material
At the heart of the Vivobarefoot and Balena partnership is Balena’s BioCir®flex material. This advanced thermoplastic elastomer offers flexibility, durability, and high performance while being fully compostable and recyclable. Unlike traditional fossil fuel-based materials, BioCir®flex reduces the use of toxic substances and contributes to a more sustainable consumer goods industry.
BioCir®flex-3D: Combining Performance and Biodegradability
Balena’s BioCir®flex-3D takes the concept of 3D printing to new heights. This biobased thermoplastic material maintains high flexibility similar to TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) while being fully compostable. It enables the production of high-performance, flexible, and durable items that biodegrade safely at the end of their life cycle. This breakthrough material offers a sustainable alternative to non-biodegradable options like TPU, contributing to the reduction of plastic waste.
“Products made of BioCir®flex reach their end-of-life responsibly in a biological recycling mechanism, including full decomposition and biodegradation of the material back to the ground safely in an industrial compost environment, and by that, completing a fully circular process required for a sustainable future.” – Balena
The Benefits of Regenerative Bare-Footwear
The development of 3D printed, made-to-measure, and fully compostable footwear brings numerous benefits to individuals and the environment.
Enhanced Natural Movement and Foot Health
VivoBiome footwear is designed to promote natural movement and foot health. The wide, thin, and flexible design principles adopted by Vivobarefoot allow for optimum foot health and flexibility. By enabling the foot to move and function as nature intended, VivoBiome supports overall foot health and reduces the risk of common foot ailments caused by restrictive footwear.
Reduced Environmental Impact
Traditional footwear production often involves long supply chains, excessive waste, and the use of non-biodegradable materials. VivoBiome’s regenerative approach tackles these issues head-on. By producing footwear on-demand and locally, the carbon emissions associated with transportation are significantly reduced. Additionally, the use of compostable materials ensures that the products have a minimal impact on the environment when disposed of correctly.
Personalized Fit and Comfort
One of the key advantages of VivoBiome footwear is the personalized fit it offers. Each pair of shoes is made-to-measure, ensuring a bespoke fit for each individual. This not only enhances comfort but also reduces the risk of foot-related issues caused by ill-fitting shoes. By prioritizing individual needs and preferences, VivoBiome promotes a healthier and more enjoyable walking experience.
Circular Economy and Waste Reduction
The circular approach adopted by VivoBiome aims to minimize waste and create a closed-loop system. The use of compostable materials allows the footwear to be returned to the environment safely, completing a fully circular process. This commitment to waste reduction and sustainability aligns with the principles of a circular economy, where resources are kept in use for as long as possible and waste is minimized.
The future of footwear lies in regenerative bare-footwear, where sustainability, comfort, and personalization are at the forefront. The partnership between Vivobarefoot and Balena brings us closer to this vision with the development of 3D printed, made-to-measure, and fully compostable footwear. By using Balena’s BioCir®flex material, VivoBiome offers a revolutionary approach to footwear that aligns with nature, promotes foot health, and reduces environmental impact. With a focus on on-demand production, local manufacturing, and a circular economy, VivoBiome sets a new standard for the footwear industry. It’s time to step into a future where footwear is not only functional but also sustainable, supporting our well-being and the health of our planet.