Revolution in shoe design: The first petroleum-free sneaker made from plants!

Revolution in shoe design: The first petroleum-free sneaker made from plants!

In a groundbreaking development in the shoe industry, US materials innovation brand von Holzhausen has introduced the Ripple Shoe. This sneaker is not only a fashion accessory, but also an example of sustainable innovation, as it is made without petroleum and from a novel material called Liquidplant™. Loud Vegconomist This shoe shows how it is possible to use environmentally friendly materials in the fashion industry.

Liquidplant™ was specially developed by von Holzhausen and consists of renewable raw materials such as sugar and seeds. It combines the technical properties of high-quality polyurethane, but is completely free of plastic. The biodegradable and recyclable material is entirely plant-based, making it a promising alternative to conventional materials.

Sustainability redefined

von Holzhausen's objective is clear: the brand wants to replace plastic and leather with sustainable plant materials and has therefore shifted its focus from the production of accessories to scalable material innovations for fashion, technology and the automotive sector. Liquidplant™ was launched back in 2023 as a plastic-free coating to replace traditional materials. The Ripple Shoe demonstrates the versatility of Liquidplant™ as a standalone material and is expected to be featured in further case studies from 2025.

The importance of sustainable materials goes beyond the fashion world. In the packaging industry, for example, awareness of biodegradable and compostable materials has grown significantly in recent years. Enviropack describes that biodegradable materials are completely decomposed by microorganisms, producing end products such as CO2, water and biomass. Degradation occurs in various places such as forests, oceans or in composting facilities.

Important criteria for compostability

Another important point is the definition of compostable materials. These must be completely decomposed under specified conditions within a certain period of time. An example of this definition is the EN 13432 standard, which requires 90% of a compostable material to decompose within 90 days. The increasing spread of such materials shows how important correct disposal and consideration of ecological aspects are in product development.

Especially in today's world, when the topic of environmental and resource protection is becoming more and more important, companies like von Holzhausen and suppliers of compostable packaging are important pioneers. They show that innovative approaches and the pursuit of sustainability can go hand in hand.