ICC launches new model, developed within the scope of the SHOE @ FUTURE project

More ecological technical footwear capable of guaranteeing the consumer a good functional performance, biomechanical and thermal comfort and a long useful life. These are the characteristics of the new footwear model that ICC – Indústrias e Comércio de Calçado has just launched on the market.

The new model of the company from Guimarães is the result of research work carried out within the scope of the SHOE @ FUTURE project, which involved the companies ICC and CODIL – Costa & Dias, Lda and the entities of SCTN entities: CTCP – Centro Tecnológico do Calçado de Portugal, UM – University of Minho and IPB – Polytechnic Institute of Bragança.

For ICC, incorporating biomechanics into the production of specialized footwear is a priority, and this project in particular is proof of that. These new products developed – and already being commercialized by the company – were based on extensive biomechanical and morphological studies carried out by ICC and UM with a sample size according to ISO 15535:2012.

For CODIL, the priority was to develop a non-metallic protective toecap, of smaller size and volume, that reliably resists compression, impact and chemical agents. During the development, computational and experimental tests were carried out by the companies, UM and CTCP, in order to evaluate the influence of geometry and raw material on the mechanical performance of the toe caps. The results of geometric analysis showed that flatter toecaps, where the force falls closer to the front of the toecap, resist compression and impact better.

Another of the components studied was an environmentally sustainable microcellular polyurethane midsole for professional footwear. Microcellular polyurethane (PU) formulations were developed and evaluated by the IPB and CTCP for midsoles resistant to extreme temperatures and high temperature ranges, as well as for use in controlled temperature environments (eg, industry 4.0 environments), looking for solutions most appropriate for each problem. The midsoles were designed using sustainable industrial practices, namely by using raw materials derived from renewable sources, configuring more environmentally friendly alternative solutions”.

As part of this project, ICC, CTCP and UM were also involved in carrying out studies on comfort and distribution of plantar pressure, which resulted in a comfortable insole. All these developments have favored the use of sustainable industrial solutions and practices.