Soleic® Polyurethanes
Soleic® for a world without microplastics
Winner in category New Materials
Soleic® is a plant-based, fully biodegradable polyurethane material designed for footwear, consumer products, and coated fabrics. It replaces fossil-based materials and is compatible with existing manufacturing equipment. The durable material safely breaks down at end-of-life, preventing persistent microplastics and lowering the carbon footprint. Soleic® is USDA BioPreferred® certified and holds an EcoVadis Silver Medal.
The abrasion of shoe soles, like of car tires, is a source of microplastics. Biodegradable Soleic materials can be a sensible alternative, offering comparable durability and performance.
Official Jury Statement
Company/Institution
Algenesis Corporations
Developed by Algenesis, a leader in plant-based materials, BLUEVIEW® is the world’s first fully biodegradable sneaker that won’t leave behind harmful microplastics. BLUEVIEW® was created to revolutionize the footwear industry with sustainable, plant-based materials, including Algenesis’s innovative Soleic® polyurethanes. Combining next-level comfort, high-quality craftsmanship, and sustainable design, BLUEVIEW® footwear is forest-friendly, vegan, and reduces GHG emissions—all without leaving behind persistent microplastics. Available for purchase at blueviewfootwear.com.
Country
United States
Website
Designer(s)
Algenesis Labs
Algenesis Labs Science Team: Algenesis Labs was founded by UC San Diego scientists Dr. Stephen Mayfield, Dr. Michael Burkart, and Dr. Skip Pomeroy. Today the Algenesis science team is led by Dr. Ryan Simkovsky, and includes deep expertise in biology, chemistry, and polymer engineering, with multiple PhDs on staff. Together, they have developed and tested thousands of formulations, published 17 peer-reviewed papers, and hold several patents, culminating in the development of Soleic®: a fully biodegradable, high-performance polyurethane designed to prevent microplastics from entering the environ