CovationBio Launches World's First Non-Food Biobased Sports Insole at NW Materials Show

CovationBio's Pioneering Step in Sustainable Sports Footwear

Covation Biomaterials LLC, known for its innovative biobased materials, has achieved a remarkable milestone by producing its first series of commercial test batches of Xatryx.T bioTHF and Xatryx® bioPTMEG. These advancements were unveiled alongside the world’s first biobased sports insole, which utilizes non-food materials, at the NW Materials Show taking place in Portland, Oregon.

A Game-Changing Material

The introduction of Xatryx® bioPTMEG marks a significant leap forward in the realm of sustainable materials. As a non-food biobased alternative to conventional PTMEG derived from fossil fuels, it can seamlessly replace typical fossil-derived products in applications such as spandex, polyurethanes, and thermoplastic elastomers. The benefits don’t just stop at performance; utilizing this material helps to dramatically reduce reliance on non-renewable resources.

Production commenced at CovationBio’s newly established commercial-scale plant in Qidong, which is designed to produce 50,000 tons annually. The facility successfully began operations in August 2026, ahead of schedule, producing critical batches under stringent quality control measures, assuring compliance with industry standards.

You Feifeng, President of CovationBio, expressed pride in the team's achievements, noting, "The transition from mechanical completion to successful commercial production has been astoundingly swift. In just four months, our team optimized processes and validated our proprietary technology, yielding products that meet high-quality specifications."

A Collaboration with INSITE®

At the NW Materials Show, CovationBio, in partnership with the well-known insole brand INSITE®, co-hosted a "Next Generation Biobased Footwear Materials Application Forum." Here, they showcased the innovative sports insole crafted from Xatryx® bioPTMEG. This ground-breaking insole design not only extends the application of non-food biobased materials but also highlights the collaborative potential for pushing sustainability in footwear.

INSITE®, renowned in the biomechanical footwear domain, blends expertise in shoe design with CovationBio's pioneering material innovations. Together, they aim to establish a new standard for sustainability in the insole industry. Dr. Zhao Mosha, Global Marketing Director for CovationBio’s C4 platform, remarked, "What we have achieved—from mass production to unveiling a usable end product at a footwear fair in just weeks—illustrates both a technological breakthrough and the efficiency of transitioning from concept to reality in the biobased materials industry."

Sustainable Impact and Advantages

Xatryx® offers substantial sustainability advantages, including:

- Lower Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Its production results in significantly reduced emissions compared to fossil-based counterparts.
- Renewable Resource Utilization: The material is derived from annually renewable non-food biomass, such as agricultural byproducts, preventing food supply conflicts.
- Reduced Fossil Fuel Dependence: Xatryx® minimizes reliance on non-renewable fossil fuel materials, supporting the shift towards a more circular economy.
- Seamless Integration for Customers: Transitioning to this biobased material does not require major adjustments in existing application processes, making it easy for end-users to adopt.

Looking Ahead

The NW Materials Show serves as a pivotal gathering for the global footwear and functional fabrics sectors. CovationBio is excited to engage with industry stakeholders on how Xatryx® can enhance material supply chains and promote sustainable development strategies.

Covation Biomaterials LLC, founded in 2022 and based in Newark, Delaware, continues to leverage DuPont’s rich legacy of scientific innovation to deliver high-performance solutions for the apparel, footwear, and carpet industries. Through its brands, like Xatryx® and Sorona®, CovationBio aims to make biobased solutions accessible and effective for all its customers.

In summary, the development and showcase of the world's first non-food biobased sports insole at the NW Materials Show not only represents a triumph in sustainable material innovation but also reflects a growing trend towards environmentally conscious manufacturing practices in the footwear industry.