Nouryon, a global specialty chemicals leader, announced the launch of Expancel WB microspheres, an innovation in expandable microspheres for white shoe sole applications in the clothing and apparel industry, at the 2024 Chinaplas exhibition in Shanghai, China.

White shoe soles are in increasing demand by shoe manufacturers to meet strong consumer interest without compromising on performance or comfort.

Expancel microspheres consist of a polymer shell that encapsulates a gas. When heated, the gas expands allowing the microspheres to be used as a lightweight filler and blowing agent to obtain different surface effects and make end products lighter, which reduces costs and environmental impact.

"The ability to produce lightweight solutions for our key markets presents tremendous growth opportunities for Nouryon as our customers increasingly focus on implementing more sustainable solutions," said Sylvia Winkel-Pettersson, Vice President Engineered Polymers at Nouryon.

"Our clothing and apparel customers are looking for innovations that address multiple technical requirements in a single product, and we are proud to support them with a solution that not only improves the whiteness, elasticity, and foam stability of shoe soles, but also helps to reduce carbon emissions."

Expancel WB microspheres can be used in footwear applications to reduce weight and provide a whiter color for shoe soles compared to alternative grades of Expancel microspheres. These benefits are achieved without sacrificing its exceptional low density, uniform and closed cell structure, and superior flexibility.