Corn waste vegan leather
Artificial leather made from corn waste is a new and sustainable material produced from the waste of the corn harvest. It is produced through a process called "biopolymerization", which converts the waste into polymers that can then be made into fabrics. This material has some advantages over traditional synthetic leather because it is biodegradable and recyclable. It is also strong and durable, and has a similar texture and appearance to traditional faux leather. It is comfortable and breathable and can come in many different colors and patterns. Using faux leather made from corn waste in shoes is a step towards a more sustainable fashion industry and can help reduce the amount of waste products that end up in our environment. It`s also a great way to offer more eco-friendly and animal-friendly alternatives to traditional materials used in the footwear industry. Overall, faux leather made from corn waste offers a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional faux leather and can be a valuable resource for the footwear industry.
Abacá banana-canvas
Some GENESIS sneakers are made with the natural fibers of the abaca plant. The abacà plant belongs to the banana family and is originally from the Philippines. Abacá-canvas is harvested, spun, refined and woven on traditional handlooms. Due to the salt water tolerance, the material thus obtained is very durable and tearresistant. To increase sustainability, recycled PET fibers from plastic bottles are added to the fibers.
Sugar cane-based suede
For parts of the collection we have used a newly developed suede based on the fibers of the sugar cane plant. The sugar cane is pressed out for sugar production. What remains is a fibrous wood that has no other use and is left as biological waste on the plantations. In the manufacturing process, the biological content can be up to 69%. Artificial suede from sugar cane waste is an innovative and sustainable material made from the waste of sugar production. It is produced through a process called "upcycling", in which waste products are transformed into new materials. This suede has several advantages over traditional materials for shoes. It is soft and comfortable, which makes it a great material for sneakers. It is also durable and can last a long time, making it a great choice for everyday use. Another advantage of artificial suede made from sugar cane waste is that it is biodegradable and has a reduced carbon footprint compared to traditional materials. This makes it a great choice for people looking for eco-friendly options. Using artificial suede made from sugar cane waste in sneakers is a step towards a more sustainable fashion industry and a great way to reduce waste products while providing a comfortable material for footwear. Overall, artificial suede made from sugarcane waste offers a more sustainable and ecological alternative to traditional leather.
Recycled synthetic rubber
GENESIS soles are made of at least 40 % natural rubber and 60 % synthetic rubber. This is already a very high value of natural raw material. In addition, we have been trying since day one to replace the proportion of synthetic rubber required with recycled rubber as best we can. To date, we have been able to achieve an admixture of 10 % in some cases. Instead of burning old rubber in cement kilns, recycling synthetic rubber and processing it into rubber granulate creates a new raw material that has enormous environmental advantages over incineration. Life cycle assessment studies document that CO2 emissions into the atmosphere and the negative consequences in terms of atmospheric acidification are significantly reduced as a result.
Bamboo fibres
A new ingredient for our lining, along with recycled cotton and recycled PET bottles, are bamboo fibers.
Bamboo fibers are a new and innovative material. They have several advantages over traditional materials and offer an environmentally friendly alternative.
Bamboo is a fast growing plant that does not need to be fertilized or sprayed. It is also very hardy and requires less water than other plants. This makes bamboo a sustainable resource that can also be used to make shoe linings.
Bamboo fibers are very soft and breathable, which makes them an ideal material for shoe linings. They keep the foot dry and prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi, which contributes to a more comfortable wear. In addition, bamboo fibers are very durable and have a long life, which makes them last longer than traditional shoe lining material.
Another advantage of bamboo fibers is that they are hypoallergenic and contain no toxic substances. This makes them a safe option for people with sensitive skin or allergic reactions.
Recycled polyurethane (PU)
The midsole of sneakers has a crucial role in comfort and performance. PAM models use recycled polyurethane foam, or PU, for midsoles. This material is made with recycled PU and significantly reduces the environmental footprint. Recycled PU foam provides excellent cushioning, protects against impact and provides a comfortable suspension. Its flexibility allows for ergonomic sole shapes that follow the natural movements of the foot. In addition, recycled PU foam is durable, giving sneakers a longer lifespan. This contributes to sustainability, as fewer shoes need to be produced and disposed of.
Natural caoutchouc from Vietnam
Caoutchouc (Rubber) is a regenerative natural product. Every sole of Genesis sneakers is made of at least 40 % natural rubber. Colored soles are also made from natural rubber but combined with 10 % recycled material to maximize sustainability. We use natural rubber from mixed plantation-cultures. The negative aspect of pollution within monoculture and a one-sided soil abuse does not take place.
VIBRAM® Outsoles
For selected models in our collection, we use Vibram® outsoles. The Italian manufacturer has stood for durable and abrasion-resistant rubber compounds since 1945. The soles provide reliable grip and stability – both in everyday use and on more demanding terrain.
Hevea rubber sole
The HEVEA RUBBER sneaker soles manufacturing process uses the latex sap of the Hevea rubber tree that grows on tropical plantations in Asia. After extraction and purification of the sap, it is coagulated and poured into molds. The process of making the is similar to the affinage process used in cheese making. Vulcanization makes the soles durable and flexible. HEVEA RUBBER is environmentally friendly because the rubber tree is renewable and contributes to carbon dioxide absorption. The process uses less energy than the production of synthetic materials. The result is high-quality, sustainable soles that reduce environmental impact.
Insole made of recycled EVA foam
The sole made of EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) is particularly shockabsorbing and thus gentle on the joints. EVA is a caoutchouc resembling synthetic material with very good thermal properties. The difference with conventional EVA is that the GENESIS-EVA is assembled from residues and enriched with recycled PET to achieve the most environmentally friendly result possible.
Recycled yarn
For the mesh in the upper material, the laces and the seams the so-called PETSPUN® is used. This recycled yarn is made from PET bottles. The material obtained is called R-PET and has the advantage that no new plastic is used in production. Instead already produced PET is melted down and processed into fabric. From one plastic bottle, a pair of sneakers can be made.
Cork soles from sustainable production
The top of the sneaker insoles is made of cork. The benefits of processing cork to the insole are in both comfort and sustainability. In addition to the breathability and water repellency, cork absorbs impact sound and, thanks to its thermal advantages, has a cold- and heat-insulating effect. Used for this purpose is the blend of bottled cork production, which is up to 75 % in the annual production of 25 billion bottle corks left.
