The 2019 ISPO Trade Fair held in Munich unveiled a variety of new, innovative products pertaining to sports around the globe. In fact, the event was so successful, the number of visitors was four times larger than expected with an estimated 80,000 guests in attendance.



Nothing stood out more, however, than the Sympatex "Shoe 4.0" revealed at the event.
Sympatex posited a potential answer to a long-pondered question: can we create an eco-friendly shoe? With the "closing the loop" prototype which has created the Shoe 4.0, Sympatex has outlined the creation of a water-proof, ecologically sound shoe within a closed loop system. All they need is a plastic shredder, an extruder, and a 3D printer to reduce the levels of plastic waste infringing on sensitive ecosystems.

But just how much plastic waste are we creating day in and day out? Sympatex partnered with Munich sports retailer, Globetrotter, to form a "plogging" event to demonstrate the extent of the problem. Plogging is the act of picking up waste products during a jog. The duo combined forces to establish a plogging event the day before the ISPO Trade Fair, where some of the plastic products collected during the plogging run would be used in Sympatex's demonstration.

The excessive plastic waste created by the shoe industry can be mitigated by such a product. The modular design allows the system to break down the plastics into raw materials which is then fed back into the machine to create waterproof, sustainable apparel.

"Each year, 23 billion pairs of shoes manufactured from new raw materials are thrown into the trash at the end of their life cycle, or in most cases incinerated in open fires, an extreme waste of resources that also pollutes the environment, and an absolutely irresponsible approach when one considers the more sustainable alternatives that could be implemented by the industry," claims Sympatex managing director, Dr. Rudiger Fox.

"With this new lighthouse project, we want to rouse the industry and spur our market partners into a creative dialogue and collaboration."

At the ISPO Trade Fair, the plogging plastics collected were able to create the body of the shoe atop a rubber Vibram sole. Vibram is an Italian company which also focuses on eco-friendly product creation and design to promote a more sustainable future. Their shoe soles incorporate more than 30% recycled materials.

The ISPO Trade Fair recognizes that consumers want eco-friendly options in clothing. The textile industry, as a whole, has found few ways to reduce plastic and textile waste. With the number of fashion consumers expected to grow to 1.2 billion by next year, it's more essential than ever that consumers have sustainable options to choose from.

The ISPO Trade Fair has become a hallmark for sustainability efforts in the sporting goods world. With Sympatex leading the charge on eco-friendly footwear, we can only hope more companies will rally behind their efforts for a more sustainable future.

Written by Sammi Cohen

Israeli Designer Showcases 3D-Printed Sustainable Garments and Shoes

Today's customers are making environmentally friendly products a priority. In fact, one recent survey found that 70% of consumers were willing to spend more for eco-friendly furniture, with most saying they'd pay 20% more for that sustainability pledge. For many, it's not enough to fill one's home with green items; they also want to wear them. Sustainable fashion is becoming more mainstream both in the stores and on the runway. And now, many designers are combining technological prowess with a desire to protect the planet. Case in point: Israel's Ganit Goldstein, who continues to stun fashion lovers with her unique flair and affinity for 3D printing.


3D printers are now being used to make everything from construction-grade concrete to artificial limbs for both animals and humans. It also holds a lot of promise for alleviating world hunger. But this technology isn't all serious. It's also being utilized to create a plethora of products both useful and frivolous, including high fashion ensembles.

Goldstein, a recent graduate of Jerusalem's prestigious Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, has made headlines before -- but her career looks like it's really starting to take off. Her "Between the Layers" collection consists of seven full outfits and six pairs of shoes, all of which are 3D printed using thermoplastic polyurethane and polylactic acid. After being inspired by a study abroad opportunity in Japan, Goldstein created an innovative weaving process using her 3D printer and manual techniques.


Notably, Goldstein partnered with Intel to create an augmented reality app to illustrate her creative process. She also teamed up with Stratasys, a 3D printer brand, to develop her sky-high, woven shoes. The footwear is part art, part technology -- and all sustainable. They were first showcased with the collection during the Arts of Fashion Foundation's annual show, but they'll also be exhibited at the Internationale Handwerksmesse in Munich this spring.


Of her process, Goldstein explained that "working with the traditional methods, and combining them with new technology, is my vision and my inspiration for my future works." The designer feels that 3D-printed fashion "will change the way people design and wear clothes. 'Personalized, one-of-a-kind' pieces that are specifically created for one single person are the future of 3D-printed fashion."