Amid the global wave of sustainable development, nonwoven insole board（fiber board) has emerged as a game-changer in the field of footwear materials. This advanced material, manufactured through nonwoven processes such as needle punching and thermal bonding, is reshaping industry standards with its superior performance, environmental compatibility, and wide-ranging applications. As governments around the world strengthen environmental regulations and consumers increasingly prioritize comfort and sustainability,fiber board is coming to the fore as a core material driving the green transition of the footwear industry.
Policy Support: Global Promotion of Sustainable Materials
International and national policies have created a favorable regulatory environment for the development of chemical fiber board. The EU's REACH Regulation strictly limits the content of harmful substances such as heavy metals and phthalates in footwear materials, while California's Proposition 65 imposes similar restrictions on chemical emissions. China's updated "Limits of Harmful Substances in Shoe Sole Materials" is aligned with international standards, advocating low-carbon production and resource recycling. In addition, the EU's Ecodesign Directive and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s "Sustainable Shoe Sole Product Guidelines" encourage manufacturers to adopt eco-friendly materials, providing policy support for the popularization of chemical fiber board. These regulations not only raise the threshold for industry entry but also accelerate the process of replacing traditional materials such as cardboard and ordinary plastics with nonwoven materials.
Recent hotspots in synthetic footwear fiber material products
Evonik collaborates with 361° to launch low-carbon high-end running shoes: In November, the chemical company Evonik and 361° jointly launched a series of high-end running shoes using environmentally friendly synthetic fiber materials. The midsole of these shoes is made of Evonik's VESTAMID® eCO E40 nylon 12 elastomer foaming material, which is produced through supercritical physical foaming technology. It offers both lightweight and high rebound performance for sports activities, and through methods such as extracting raw materials from recycled tires and using renewable energy for power supply, it achieves full-chain carbon reduction, with carbon emissions reduced by approximately 70% compared to traditional processes. This material has previously helped 361° running shoes achieve outstanding results in the Berlin Marathon. In the future, it will gradually expand to more flagship shoe models.
Fujian releases multiple innovative synthetic fiber materials for shoe use: In November, the Fujian Provincial Department of Industry and Information Technology announced the list of new textile and apparel products for 2025, and several synthetic fiber-related materials for shoes were selected. For example, "Micro Acid Inhibitory Weakly Hydrophilic ES Fiber" from Quanzhou Fudi New Materials and "Supercritical Fluid Foaming Midsole" from Putian Xinrui New Materials. These materials have achieved breakthroughs in aspects such as antibacterial and functional foaming, and are suitable for the performance requirements of different types of shoes, further promoting the diversification and high-end development of domestic synthetic fiber materials for shoes. It also forms a technical implementation advantage by relying on the local footwear manufacturing cluster in Fujian.
Why choose nonwoven insole board?
I. Performance (Outstanding Performance)
Excellent Mechanical Properties: The multi-layer fiber structure achieves excellent shock absorption, uniform weight distribution, and stable arch support, significantly reducing foot fatigue during prolonged wear; it is not easily deformed, odorless, maintains shape stability for a long time, and is wear-resistant and bend-resistant.
Superior Breathability and Moisture Absorption: The porous structure enhances breathability and moisture management capabilities. Some products integrate Super Absorbent Polymer (SAP) technology, which can be made into "smart insoles" that expand to absorb moisture when wet and remain breathable when dry.
High Customization: Thickness (0.8mm-3mm) and color can be customized to adapt to diverse footwear designs.
II. Applications (Versatile Applications)
Casual/Athletic Shoes: Used as lining and upper material (e.g., Coats' Sprint series, made of 80% recycled polyester), balancing lightweight comfort and strong stitch-holding power.
High-Performance Footwear: Applied in snowboarding shoes, golf shoes, etc., to achieve a balance between waterproofing and breathability (e.g., Freudenberg's Airliner 1.0 technology).
Safety Shoes: Anti-static variants (e.g., Coats' T91AS) meet industrial safety standards.
Luxury Footwear: Customizable in size (36″×54″, 1m×1.5m) and color to match high-end designs; compatible with various footwear manufacturing processes such as cement lasting, welted construction, and stitch-down techniques.
III. Advantages (Market Advantages)
Cost-Effective and Efficient: The production process consumes fewer resources than woven fabrics, with short lead times and competitive pricing; its durability reduces replacement frequency, saving long-term costs for consumers.
Environmentally Friendly and Sustainable: In line with the circular economy, it contains a high proportion of recycled components (e.g., 80% recycled polyester); bio-based variants (made from corn starch or bamboo fiber) are fully biodegradable; it reduces carbon emissions by 30-40% compared to plastic alternatives.
Wide Adaptability: Compatible with multiple categories of footwear and footwear manufacturing processes, meeting diverse needs from daily to professional scenarios.
Market Situation: Steady Growth Driven by Innovation
The global chemical fiber board market is experiencing strong expansion. Industry forecasts indicate that by 2025, the global nonwoven fabric market, including insole applications, will reach several billion US dollars, maintaining a stable compound annual growth rate. The Asia-Pacific region has become the largest production and consumption market, driven by China's manufacturing advantages and growing footwear demand. Key growth drivers include: increased consumer awareness of foot health, tightened environmental regulations, and technological innovations in material performance. Despite challenges such as trade barriers and the need for standardized recycling systems, the long-term market trend remains positive, and sustainable materials have become a core competitive factor.
The development trend is positive, and sustainable materials have become a core competitive element. Future trends: intelligent, green, and high-performance. The fiberboard industry is evolving in three major directions. First, intelligent functionalization: Freudenberg's upcoming Airliner 2.0 will integrate phase change materials (PCM) to achieve temperature regulation functions, expanding to applications in shoe tongues and overall linings. Second, green manufacturing: brands are increasing research and development in bio-based fibers, promoting energy-saving production lines, and contributing to the achievement of carbon neutrality goals. Third, high-performance customization: nanotechnology and 3D printing will enable personalized insole production, providing precise support for different foot shapes. Additionally, cross-industry integration (such as the combination of nonwoven materials and wearable sensors) will open up new application scenarios in sports science and healthcare fields.
Corporate response strategies: adapting to market changes.
To stand firm in the dynamic market, shoe companies should adopt three core strategies. First, research and development investment: collaborate with material suppliers to develop customized solutions - for example, Coats' T89-T91 series is optimized for specific shoe-making processes. Second, embrace sustainability: obtain bluesign® and ISO 14001 certifications to convey environmental protection concepts to consumers. Third, optimize the supply chain: cooperate with reliable manufacturers such as WINIW to ensure quality stability, short delivery cycles, and global logistics support.
Conclusion
Nonwoven insole board（fiber board) represents the future development direction of footwear materials, integrating performance, sustainability, and versatility. Driven by policy support, technological innovation, and changes in consumer preferences, it is replacing traditional materials and setting new industry benchmarks. Its core advantage of reducing environmental impact while enhancing wearing comfort makes it a key engine for the sustainable transformation of the footwear industry. As enterprises increase R&D investment and green practices, chemical fiber board will continue to expand its market share, bringing tangible value to manufacturers, consumers, and the planet. The era of eco-friendly, high-performance footwear has arrived, and chemical fiber board is leading this transformative trend.
Post time: Dec-02-2025