OLEATEX® – Vegan Leather from Olive Oil Waste
OLEATEX® is a next-generation material derived from waste produced during olive oil production. It utilises olive tree residues that would otherwise have no further use, transforming them into a high-quality vegan leather. The result is robust, durable and impresses with a look and feel very similar to that of genuine leather. OLEATEX® is also comfortable and breathable.
Corn waste vegan leather
Faux leather made from maize waste is produced from the waste generated during the maize harvest. It is created through a process called biopolymerisation, in which the waste is converted into polymers, which are then processed into fabrics. The material is robust and durable and has a similar texture and appearance to conventional faux leather. It is comfortable and breathable, and is available in a range of colours and patterns.
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 some pieces in the collection, we use suede made from the fibres of the sugar cane plant. The sugar cane is pressed to extract sugar, leaving behind a fibrous material that would otherwise have no further use. It is transformed into a new material through an upcycling process. The result is soft, comfortable and hard-wearing, and is well suited to everyday use.
Recycled synthetic rubber
GENESIS soles consist of at least 40 per cent natural rubber and 60 per cent synthetic rubber. This is a comparatively high proportion of natural raw material. The natural rubber comes from the latex sap of the rubber tree, which is tapped for extraction but not felled. The combination of natural and synthetic rubber ensures a good balance of grip, elasticity and abrasion resistance, as required for everyday use in a trainer. Pure natural rubber would not be robust enough to ensure consistent sole quality throughout the entire production process, which is why we combine it with synthetic rubber.
Bamboo fibres
Part of our lining is made from bamboo fibres combined with cotton and PET fibres. Bamboo fibres are soft, comfortable against the skin and highly breathable. Thanks to their fine fibre structure, they absorb moisture well, which helps to ensure they are comfortable to wear. When combined with cotton and PET fibres, the result is a lining that feels soft yet is hard-wearing.
Recycled polyurethane (PU)
For certain models, we use polyurethane foam (PU) for the midsole. PU offers excellent cushioning, protects against impacts and provides a comfortable springy feel. Its flexibility allows for ergonomic sole shapes that follow the foot’s natural movements. Furthermore, PU foam is durable, meaning the midsole retains its properties over a long period, thereby making a crucial contribution to the shoe’s comfort and performance.
Natural caoutchouc from Vietnam
Rubber is a renewable natural product. Every sole of a GENESIS trainer is made from at least 40 per cent natural rubber.
VIBRAM® Outsoles
We use Vibram® soles on some models in our collection. Since 1945, this Italian manufacturer has been renowned for its exceptionally durable and abrasion-resistant rubber compounds. The soles offer reliable grip and stability, both in everyday use and on more challenging terrain.
Hevea rubber sole
The manufacturing process for trainers’ soles made from HEVEA RUBBER uses the latex sap of the Hevea rubber tree, which grows on tropical plantations in Asia. Once the sap has been extracted and purified, it is coagulated and poured into moulds. The process of making the soles is similar to the ripening stage in cheese-making. Vulcanisation makes the soles durable and flexible.
Insole made of recycled EVA foam
The EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) sole provides excellent shock absorption and is therefore gentle on the joints. EVA is a rubber-like plastic with very good thermal properties. GENESIS EVA is made from production offcuts.
Recycled yarn
PETSPUN® is a recycled yarn made from PET bottles. The resulting material is called R PET. No new plastic needs to be produced; instead, existing PET is melted down and processed into yarn. We use this yarn for our shoelaces.
Cork soles
The upper surface of the trainers’ insoles is made of cork. Cork is breathable, water-repellent and absorbs impact noise. Thanks to its thermal properties, it also provides insulation against both cold and heat. The material used here is offcuts from bottle cork production, which yields around 25 billion bottle corks annually.
