PUMA’s latest soccer cleat, the evoPOWER Vigor 1, is the first to be made with a INSQIN waterborne polyurethane technology designed from leading polymer company Covestro. While the cleat design and functionality centers around INSQIN, it also improves its sustainability.
Through the use of the technology, the upper materials on the cleat were produced with 95 percent less water and 50 percent less energy. Additionally, an independent environmental study from Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) recorded a 44 percent lower carbon footprint as well.
The evoPOWER Vigor 1 also utilizes PUMA’s Accufoam technology, which includes three-dimensional, diamond shaped dots called Topaz-DOTS that appear on the upper part of the cleat. The dots and coating technology were provided by Germany-based Trans-Textil.
“The Accufoam upper enables exceptional comfort and outstanding precision when kicking the ball powerfully,” Matthias Hartmann, Teamhead Material Engineering Innovation Footwear at PUMA, said in a statement. “It also contributes to the innovative styling of the boot. This is why many football players — amateurs and professionals alike — are very keen to play in these shoes.”
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Added Nick Smith, Global Head of Textile Coating at Covestro in a statement: “I am particularly proud of this development. We have Covestro technology, that has delivered a beautiful, highly technical and sustainable product. Furthermore, it was only made possible by a great collaboration between Covestro, Trans-Textil and PUMA. This is the very essence of what Covestro stands for.”
Both Covestro and Trans-Textil, in working closely with PUMA, developed the coating formulation and textile processing technology for the evoPOWER Vigor 1.
“Coloring, patterns, wear and temperature resistance, waterproofness and breathability could be defined as required,” Manfred Hänsch, Managing Director at Trans-Textil, said in a statement.
