On develops sustainable shoe soles using carbon emissions

Swiss sports brand, On today, announced a step away from petroleum-based resources by developing CleanCloud™, a novel foam material generated from carbon emissions as a raw material.

On is the first footwear firm to explore carbon emissions as a primary raw material for a shoe bottom unit, specifically EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) foam, which might be used in additional shoe parts and products in the future.

On is convinced that reducing greenhouse gas emissions requires creativity. CleanCloud™ is the culmination of four years of hard effort, which began with the identification of the best potential partners.

Caspar Coppetti, Co-Founder and Executive Co-Chairman of On, said that it’s a win-win situation. They’re capturing pollutants before they contaminate our climate while also transitioning away from fossil-based products. Innovation is at the heart of their brand, and they are very delighted to announce this supply chain coalition with their world-class partners LanzaTech and Borealis following 4 years of intensive study.

CleanCloud™ is the product of a collaboration with some of the most forward-thinking biochemical and plastics firms, such as LanzaTech and Borealis. LanzaTech is developing chemicals using a process that absorbs carbon rather than emits it, combining cutting-edge genetic engineering, cutting-edge artificial intelligence, and mechanical and chemical engineering advances.

Jennifer Holmgren, CEO of LanzaTech, said that they’re showing the world what’s possible when they reimagine how they source, use, and dispose of carbon. By transforming pollutants into products, they can see how everything they use in their daily lives will eventually be made from recycled carbon. They’re thrilled to be joining On and Borealis on this mission to bend the carbon curve, keep our skies blue, and build a sustainable future for everyone.

Borealis is a major developer of sophisticated, circular, and renewable plastic solutions, and was instrumental in the development of CleanCloud™’s high-performance, easy-to-process EVA foam. This partnership helps Borealis to enhance its carbon and plastics circularity journey, which is in line with its EverMinds™ objective.

Lucrèce Foufopoulos, Borealis Executive Vice President Polyolefins, Innovation & Circular Economy Solutions, said that Borealis is thrilled to be a member of the groundbreaking CleanCloud™ initiative. They’re happy to co-create carbon circularity with their creative partners On and Lanzatech, and to divorce plastic from its reliance on fossil fuels. They continue to re-invent for more sustainable living through innovation and collaboration.

The overarching goal is to replace all EVA bottom units in On shoes with CleanCloud™ bottom units. This comprises the whole Cloud collection, as well as THE ROGER franchise line and a portion of the active lifestyle collection.