#USA #Portland #CovationBio #INSITE #Xatryx

CovationBio's Innovative Step into Sustainable Footwear

Covation Biomaterials LLC, commonly known as CovationBio, has made a notable advancement in the realm of sustainable materials by successfully initiating the series production of Xatryx® bioPTMEG. This groundbreaking biobased material, derived from non-food sources, marks a pivotal moment for CovationBio, which is recognized as a leader in biobased materials innovation. This announcement comes as CovationBio prepares to debut the world's first bio-based sports insole at the NW Materials Show in Portland, Oregon, in collaboration with the esteemed insole brand INSITE®.

Production Milestone Achieved

Since the completion of its state-of-the-art 50,000-ton commercial facility for C4 platform technology in April 2026, CovationBio has rapidly scaled up production. The Qidong facility officially began producing its first commercial batches in August 2026, including Xatryx.T bioTHF and various Xatryx® bioPTMEG products with molecular weights of 1000, 1800, and 2000. CovationBio's rigorous internal quality controls ensure that all produced batches meet industry specifications, reflecting the stability and maturity of their proprietary processing technology.

You Feifeng, the CEO of CovationBio, emphasized, "From the completion of construction to the production of the first specification-compliant commercial batches, our team has accomplished the entire process of facility commissioning and optimization in just four months. The initial specification compliance across all molecular weight classes showcases the robustness of our technology and our commitment to delivering high-quality materials."

Bio-Based Alternatives Taking Center Stage

Xatryx® bioPTMEG represents a sustainable alternative to traditional fossil-based PTMEG, offering similar performance while significantly reducing reliance on non-renewable resources. This eco-friendly material, sourced from annually renewable biomass—such as agricultural by-products—eliminates competition with food supplies and reduces greenhouse gas emissions during manufacturing.

The sustainability advantages of Xatryx® include:

• - Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The production of Xatryx® generates significantly fewer greenhouse gases compared to its fossil counterparts.
• - Biobased Content: Utilizes non-food biomass, thus preventing competition for food supplies.
• - Reduced Fossil Fuel Dependency: Aligns with global efforts to minimize reliance on fossil resources in material manufacturing.
• - Ease of Integration: A drop-in solution, Xatryx® requires minimal process adjustments for downstream customers transitioning to biobased materials.

Launching the Future of Footwear

In conjunction with the impressive production milestone, CovationBio is actively collaborating along the supply chain to develop diverse applications for Xatryx®. During the NW Materials Show on September 2-3, 2026, CovationBio will partner with INSITE® to present the 'NextGeneration BioBased Footwear Materials Application Forum,' where they will introduce the first partially bio-based sports insole created from non-food materials using Xatryx®.

This innovative insole product utilizes Xatryx® bioPTMEG as a core ingredient, bridging the gap between industrial-scale biobased materials and everyday athletic footwear. INSITE®, with its robust expertise in shoe biomechanics and podiatric design, is setting a new standard for sustainable materials within the insole industry through this collaboration.

Dr. Zhao Mosha, Global Marketing Director of CovationBio's C4 platform, shared that the journey from mass production of Xatryx® at the Qidong plant to the market debut of the final product at the footwear show was achieved in mere weeks. "This technological milestone is not just an achievement for both firms but also a testament to how efficiently the biobased material sector can move from concept to reality, driven by the drop-in capabilities of Xatryx® to replace fossil materials."

The Importance of the NW Materials Show

The NW Materials Show is renowned as one of the premier trade fairs for footwear materials and functional textiles on a global scale. CovationBio's team aims to demonstrate how Xatryx® can strengthen the supply chain for footwear materials and collaborate with global partners to promote sustainable development strategies across the industry.

About CovationBio

Founded in 2022 and headquartered in Newark, Delaware, Covation Biomaterials LLC specializes in advanced biobased materials technologies, aiming to provide a diverse portfolio of powerful and sustainable solutions. With roots in scientific innovation from DuPont, CovationBio is committed to offering pioneering materials for the apparel, footwear, and carpet sectors. Through its brands, including Xatryx® and Sorona®, CovationBio supplies vital materials that help make biobased products accessible to every customer. CovationBio, Xatryx, and Sorona are registered trademarks of Covation Biomaterials or its affiliates.