At CHINAPLAS 2026, BASF will unveil Elastollan® GripTec, a new innovative thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) portfolio designed for the sports footwear industry, unlocking new possibilities for outsole design and manufacturing. The new Elastollan GripTec series combines exceptional grip, durability, design flexibility and sustainability, and is designed for running and hiking enthusiasts, as well as lifestyle fashion and kidswear applications.
“Footwear brands are always looking for materials that enhance user experience and improve safety. Elastollan GripTec - our next-generation TPU outsole solution - is set to redefine footwear performance while enabling greater design flexibility and advancing our commitment to sustainability,” said Rohit Roop Ghosh, Vice President, Business Management TPU, Performance Materials Asia Pacific, BASF. “Preliminary feedback from leading global footwear brands have been positive and validates the market potential of Elastollan GripTec. We will continue to collaborate with more customers to strengthen their competitiveness and drive innovation across the industry.”
Driving superior performance and design freedom
The Elastollan GripTec TPU portfolio is engineered to deliver superior traction, rugged durability and excellent abrasion resistance across a wide range of conditions.
It also offers design freedom, with options ranging from transparent to black, and allows for more creative and detailed outsole designs using TPU.
To address diverse application requirements, the Elastollan GripTec series comprises three grades:
- Elastollan GripTec 10H: Best-in-class in abrasion with excellent durability
- Elastollan GripTec 11HT: Rubber-like feel with better transparency, enabling greater design freedom
- Elastollan GripTec 12T: Superior transparency with a balanced performance profile
Advancing sustainability across the TPU value chain
Beyond performance innovation, Elastollan GripTec is developed for optimized processability. Its efficient manufacturing process for TPU outsoles helps improve productivity, reduce energy consumption and minimize waste emissions.
A life cycle assessment (LCA) study conducted by Intertek, a leading quality assurance provider, demonstrates that Elastollan GripTec generates 41% lower product carbon footprint (PCF) than conventional rubber outsoles during the manufacturing stage.