Bio-innovation of new-generation nonwoven natural fibrous materials for the footwear industry: Current state-of-the-art and sustainability panorama

ABSTRACT

This paper outlines an overview of recent research advances in different production technologies toward sustainable development of nonwoven naturally sourced materials as alternatives to conventional synthetic laminated and bovine leather in the footwear industry. The current state of the footwear industry as a major stakeholder in the fashion sector is discussed, its footprints on the environment, and key developments from nonwoven natural fibrous materials for different footwear components are highlighted. Lastly, the review discusses recent research innovations of naturally sourced fibrous materials as leather alternatives in the footwear sector with special focus on sustainability and material performance. In addition, challenges and limitations in terms of industrial scalability and market potential are outlined. In conclusion, featuring promising nonwoven natural fibrous leather alternatives obtained via up-cycling of agro-wastes using microbes and fungi may be used in the textile and shoe industries. Since the prepared sheets through simple and cost-effective processes visually resemble conventional leather and demonstrate comparable material and tactile properties.

摘要

本文概述了近年来在不同生产技术方面的研究进展，以期实现非织造天然材料的可持续发展，替代传统的合成层压和牛皮革在制鞋工业中的应用. 讨论了鞋类行业作为时尚行业主要利益相关者的现状，鞋类行业对环境的影响，以及用于不同鞋类组件的非织造天然纤维材料的关键发展. 最后，回顾了近年来天然纤维材料作为皮革替代品在鞋类领域的研究创新，特别关注可持续性和材料性能. 此外，还概述了工业可扩展性和市场潜力方面的挑战和限制. 综上所述，利用微生物和真菌对农业废弃物进行上循环利用，获得了有前途的非织造天然纤维皮革替代品，可用于纺织和制鞋工业. 因为通过简单且成本效益高的工艺制备的片材在视觉上与传统皮革相似，并显示出可比的材料和触觉特性.

KEYWORDS:

• Sustainability
• nonwoven materials
• nature-derived fiber
• footwear industry
• biobased polymers

关键词:

• 持续性
• 非织造材料
• 天然纤维
• 鞋业
• 生物基聚合物

Highlights

• Recent research progress in sustainable footwears designs is discussed.

• New-generation nonwoven materials for footwear application are explored.

• Challenges faced towards industrial scalability and market potentials are highlighted.

Acknowledgments

This review work is supported from the project of Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic – DKRVO (RP/CPS/2020/005). In addition, thanks goes to the Footwear Research Institute, Tomas Bata University in Zlin, Czech Republic.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.