Few PVC industries are as penny-sensitive as footwear. Here, the conversation starts with price and availability, but ends up with technical details that determine whether a pair is rejected: the sole abrasion resistance, the cold flexibility wave resistance to oil and gasoline in safety footwear.
Our portfolio for this industry includes the most frequently used additives for footwear: plasticizers (DOP, DOTP), low viscosity BaZn stabilizers (LOX-4M-40), azodicarbonamide with its activator, stearates and soy epoxidized, in partial batches and at a competitive price.
We deliver the commodity in smaller quantities or by full container at a preferential price, keeping it in stock for when your program requires it.
This is the highest-volume and most cost-sensitive product in the entire industry. It's made with a general-purpose plasticizer and a stabilizing system that provides good initial color without increasing the cost of the formula. The discussion here is about pennies per pair, but the color and odor of the finished product are what determine whether the batch is accepted.
In solid soles, abrasion resistance is paramount, but this is lost when the load becomes too high. In foam soles, the trio of foaming agent, activator, and microspheres defines the density and uniformity of the cells: an uneven cell results in indentations and a sole that deforms with use.
A flexible and soft component in constant contact with the foot, where odor and fungal growth are the most frequent complaints from end users. Our plasticizers, stabilizers, and antimicrobial additives allow us to formulate a soft insole that also withstands this wear and tear.
Cast boots require a low-viscosity plastisol that flows and gels evenly within the mold; injection-molded boots require a compound that demolds cleanly. Work and safety boots also require resistance to oils, greases, and chemicals, which is achieved through the selection of the plasticizer.
| Function | Chemical Additives Products | Specific application |
|---|---|---|
| Medium/low molecular weight | K 61 PVC resin | Injected sole and sandal |
| High porosity | K 70 PVC Resin | Injection molded parts and flexible composites |
| Paste | K76 PVC resin, K76 (H10) | Boot by washing and footwear by immersion |
| Function | Chemical Additives Products | Specific application |
|---|---|---|
| Primary plasticizer | DOP, DOTP | General use; restricted phthalate-free DOTP |
| High molecular weight plasticizer / chemical resistance | TOTM | Safety footwear: resists attack from gasoline and oils |
| Low temperature / flexibility | DOA, DINP | Cold mixes |
| Function | Chemical Additives Products | Specific application |
|---|---|---|
| BaZn low viscosity liquid | LOX-4M-40 | Plastisol for footwear, sandals, boots |
| CaZn powder | MW-188 | Flexible composites |
| Function | Chemical Additives Products | Note |
|---|---|---|
| foaming agent | AC-7000 | Foam sole; it generates the gas that lowers the density. Its fine particle size (3–5 microns) forms a uniform, crack-free cell. |
| Microsphere | Microsphere | Together with AZO, it provides a uniform cell structure (prevents cracking and collapse) and reduces yellowing. |
| Foam activator | Zinc Stearate | Activates azodicarbonamide |
| Internal lubricant | Calcium Stearate | Demolding and lubrication |
| Co-stabilizer | Epoxidized Soybean Oil (ESBO) | Color stability |
| Function | Chemical Additives Products | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Antimicrobial agent | Zinc pyrithione | Insoles, linings and soles: inhibits the growth of bacteria and fungi in parts with constant exposure to moisture, preventing bad odors and material degradation |
| Function | Chemical Additives Products | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Optical brightener | Optical brightener | Transparent and light-colored sandals enhance the visual appeal of the finished product |
| Rule | Applicable Chemical Additives | Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| EN 71-3 | DOTP | Children's footwear and childcare items |
| Phthalate-free | LOX-4M-40 | Children's footwear; growing demand from chains and exports |
| Free of phenol, BPA and nonylphenol | MW-188 | Footwear with toxicological requirements |
| California Prop 65 — BPA free | LOX-E068-H | Export to the United States |
Competitive commodity pricing. DOP, DOTP, epoxidized soybeans and stearates at volume price, which is where the margin of this industry is played out.
Immediate availability in national warehouse. Plasticizers, stabilizers and foaming agents in stock for delivery within 24-72 hours in Mexico.
Partial lots or full container loads at preferential prices. We deliver in the quantity that suits your operation.
One-stop-shop for your footwear formulation. Paste resin, plasticizers, stabilizers, foaming agent, activator and epoxidizing agent from a single supplier.
Backup in crisis. If your usual supplier experiences delays or changes specifications without notice, we'll cover you with qualified material within days.
Overloading is the most frequent cause: it makes the formula cheaper, but you pay for it in durability and returns. RecommendationThe load level can be reduced without losing competitiveness if the rest of the package is readjusted to compensate. We help you find that balance point for your formula.
Recommendation: Incorporate an adipate in a mixture with the general-purpose plasticizer to improve low-temperature flexibility.
PVC can be attacked by agents such as gasoline or oil (e.g., palm oil). Recommendation: This resistance can be achieved with catalog products using high molecular weight or polymeric plasticizers; TOTM is a classic example that resists the chemical attack of gasoline and oils. We can help you define the system for your application.
Footwear combines moisture, heat, and constant contact with the skin, ideal conditions for bacterial and fungal growth. Recommendation: The problem is addressed at the formulation stage by incorporating a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent into the product. Contact us to determine the dosage.
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Do you prefer the finished compound? Chemical Compounds offers sandal compounds and foam profiles. View portfolio.
