POLYMERS IN FOOTWEAR | EVENT PREVIEW
We preview AMI’s Polymers in Footwear conference in the US in April with insights from experts speaking at the event
Footwear brands get on sustainable track
AMI’s second US edition of Polymers in Footwear offers industry professionals from North America and beyond the opportunity to hear from brands on latest market developments and future trends, learn about new sustainable materials and network with key stakeholders from the entire supply chain. The conference takes place on 7-8 April 2020 at the Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront, Portland, Oregon, US. Polymers in Footwear offers a unique opportu- nity to discuss trends and innovations and network with key stakeholders from the entire supply chain. The event features an end-user panel giving a
market overview, discussing trends and providing a future outlook. Further conference sessions cover green materials and sustainable solutions for the new consumer, adhesives and bonding technolo- gies, innovations driven by footwear science and custom fit technologies, as well as eco-friendly supply chain practices. The high-level speaker line-up includes repre-
sentatives from Saucony Human Performance and Innovation Lab, Vivobarefoot, The Foot- wearists, Simplicity Works, Huntsman, Covestro, Evoco and many more. To learn more about market developments and
future challenges, we spoke to some of the experts who will be sharing more insights at the event.
www.injectionworld.com
Dr. Daniel Dempsey, Senior Additive Manufacturing Engineer, New Balance Athletics, US
How do new developments in footwear manufacture drive innovation?
Primarily performance attributes are driving product development and customer expectations to a greater degree than in the past. This trend is largely due to the recent influx of carbon fibre plated midsole constructions and the capability for brands to provide quantitative data of performance im- provements rather than qualitative statements of product performance. Recent trends indicate that customers are willing to pay a premium for these pin- nacle products as the data behind the construction does infer performance improvements in the field. Additionally, with the prevalence of social media,
brands are more accountable to the aggregate voice of the customer as well as the board of directors. Not surprisingly those voices are not calling for cost reductions but rather a more unique construction, a better or more intentional function, and moreover a better hand to the environment. Some brands have executed on this theme better than others, but either way it will be interesting to
January/February 2020 | INJECTION WORLD 33
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54
