Von Holzhausen expands plant-based polymer platform

Von Holzhausen is expanding its plant-based polymer platform into performance foam, targeting petroleum-based materials that are widely used in footwear and are difficult to replace.

The Los Angeles-based materials company said its new foam is made using Liquidplant, a polymer platform developed from plant-based feedstocks such as sugars and seeds. The material is designed for footwear and other high-performance applications.

Liquidplant starts as a polymer pellet that can be processed using existing foam-manufacturing methods. Von Holzhausen has tested the material through several processes, including supercritical foaming, and said it can achieve the low density, cushioning, flexibility and energy return needed for footwear applications.

The company describes the new foam as 100% plant-based. However, its announcement did not include detailed performance data, third-party testing results or direct comparisons with existing petroleum-based foam materials.

Recent Posts

KRRI develops textile system to protect railway tracks from heat

The Korea Railroad Research Institute (KRRI) has developed what it describes as the world’s first automated, rail-mounted thermal-blocking textile system.

15 hours ago

Allsteel introduces task chair with zero-waste recycled material

Allsteel has introduced Levra, a task chair designed to combine ergonomic performance with textile innovation and responsible material choices for…

15 hours ago

Protein Evolution receives funding to scale enzymatic polyester recycling

The U.S. Department of Energy has selected Protein Evolution to improve biological process that converts PET textile waste into the…

4 days ago

Yangi brings water-free cellulose packaging technology

Yangi is expanding its Cellera dry-forming platform, offering packaging manufacturers a cellulose-based alternative to conventional molded-fiber production.

4 days ago

Covation Biomaterials begins production of bio-based spandex chemicals

Covation Biomaterials has begun production of bio-based chemicals for spandex, polyurethane and other performance materials, a milestone for its C4…

4 days ago

Demeter Bio wins RSC award for biobased PFAS alternative

Demeter Bio has won the environment category of the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Emerging Technology competition for its development of…

5 days ago