Raw materials

TR, thermoplastic rubber
- excellent grip on wet, ice and snow
- wear resistant
- remains flexible also in low temperatures, not loosing its grip
- good flex resistance
- thanks to its great grip it´s mainly used for winter, leisure and outdoor footwear
- chemical and heat resistance properties limit its suitability for industrial use

PU, polyurethane
- light
- great thermal insulation
- elastic and flexible
- chemically resistant (eg. against most chemicals, oils and petrols)
- good grip
 
Solepex Ltd´s PU soles have the optimal density, resulting in high resistance against bacteria and hydrolysis - thereby offering the soles better properties in wet or otherwise bacteria active circumstances. The soles remain their flexibility also in extreme conditions (-25 C°).
 
Polyurethane is mainly used for producing soles for professional footwear (work, protective and safety). Advanced performance include eg. antistatic and ESD (electrostatic discharge) properties.

TPU, thermoplastic polyurethane
- good grip
- oil and heat resistant up to 110ºC
- wear resistant
 
TPU is used as grip areas or inserts in PU soles or as outsole together with PU midsole.

Rubber
- good grip
- superior heat resistance (nitrile rubber)
- excellent chemical resistance
 
Rubber can also be used in combinations with other materials above.

Recycling:
PU will decompose in landfill site due to bacterial activity. Solepex Ltd. is constantly looking for ways of recycling PU waste.
 
TR and TPU leftover can be ground and used again in the production.