The footwear industry is highly distinctive due to the utilization of a diverse range of production methods and materials, as well as a need for rapid product design changes. This is most evident in the athletic, casual, and fashion shoe segments where changes in product design occur on an annual or even seasonal basis in order to follow consumer trends. Likewise, work and safety footwear must meet strict standards for worker protection while integrating new technologies to maintain high levels of comfort and performance. In order to meet the ever-changing demands of this dynamic industry, the materials used to manufacture footwear products must be capable of achieving a wide range of performance properties. Polyurethane materials have a proven ability to meet the rapidly changing needs of the footwear industry. In order for polyurethanes to maintain or increase their position relative to other materials in the industry, however, greater efficiencies must be achieved. A common option for realizing efficiency improvements involves placing higher demands on the overall performance of the mold release agent (MRA) used to manufacture polyurethane parts. It is no longer acceptable for a MRA to simply provide release of molded parts. Many producers are now demanding that the MRA make significant contributions to the final appearance and overall efficiency of the shoe sole manufacturing process. This paper will describe the various ways in which Chem-Trend's MRA technologies for polyurethane footwear applications can improve process efficiency. It will also illustrate how each of these technologies is differentiated to meet the wide array of needs resulting from the various production methods utilized in the footwear industry.
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