Lubrizol launches TPU grades for foaming processes
Last update on Jun 18, 2025
Lubrizol announces the launch of novel grades of ESTANE® BCX TPU for physical foam solutions, enhancing production efficiency, promoting circularity, and meeting high-performance demands.
These brand new ESTANE® BCX AM and ESTANE® BCX HS TPU solutions, developed in collaboration with leading machinery companies and foaming processors, are specially formulated for melt- and solid-state physical foaming processes and are based on both aromatic and aliphatic HDI TPU chemistries.
Densities down to 0.12 g/cm3 and vertical rebound up to 75%
Physical foaming, an emerging technique that uses physical blowing agents like super critical fluid (SCF), offers environmentally friendly advantages compared to traditional chemical foaming while maintaining performance expectations. This method facilitates automated midsole production, streamlining the manufacturing process and providing consistent quality and performance. This advancement underscores Lubrizol’s commitment to innovation and sustainability in the footwear industry.
Depending on the foaming process used, midsoles made with the new ESTANE® BCX TPUs achieve properties such as lighter weights at densities down to 0.12 g/cm3, vertical rebound up to 75%, improved energy return and long-term performance stability compared to market average performance foams. Balancing these properties in foams is necessary to provide optimal comfort and support for both athletes and everyday users.
Depending on the foaming process used, midsoles made with the new ESTANE® BCX TPUs achieve properties such as lighter weights at densities down to 0.12 g/cm3, vertical rebound up to 75%, improved energy return and long-term performance stability compared to market average performance foams. Balancing these properties in foams is necessary to provide optimal comfort and support for both athletes and everyday users.
Easily recyclable midsoles
The use of SCF blowing agent with the injection foaming process endows midsoles made with ESTANE® BCX TPUs with significant reductions in environmental impact when compared to other TPU foaming processes. These midsoles are more easily recyclable at the end of their life cycle, aligning with the growing consumer demand for eco-friendly products and innovative performance features.
“The increasing adoption of physical foaming technology in the footwear market calls for more advanced thermoplastic materials solutions,” said Justin Park, Lubrizol’s global director of Footwear. “Our new ESTANE® BCX TPU products represent a remarkable advancement in footwear midsole design. Our broadened capabilities and collaboration with machinery companies and processors have enabled the value chain to deliver more innovations to the market.”
As a highly recognized and trusted TPU partner, Lubrizol works closely with footwear brands and manufacturers worldwide to drive advancements in performance, sustainability, and manufacturing process simplification. With new investments for foam application technology in its China and South Korea labs, Lubrizol will enhance innovation capabilities for more cutting-edge TPU solutions and speed-to-market agility that deliver more value to customers.
“The increasing adoption of physical foaming technology in the footwear market calls for more advanced thermoplastic materials solutions,” said Justin Park, Lubrizol’s global director of Footwear. “Our new ESTANE® BCX TPU products represent a remarkable advancement in footwear midsole design. Our broadened capabilities and collaboration with machinery companies and processors have enabled the value chain to deliver more innovations to the market.”
As a highly recognized and trusted TPU partner, Lubrizol works closely with footwear brands and manufacturers worldwide to drive advancements in performance, sustainability, and manufacturing process simplification. With new investments for foam application technology in its China and South Korea labs, Lubrizol will enhance innovation capabilities for more cutting-edge TPU solutions and speed-to-market agility that deliver more value to customers.
Source
Lubrizol