![]() ![]() EVA foam being a commonly used material in the footwear industry, it is possible that Yeezy has a distributor for this material instead of producing it themselves. This process uses hydraulic pumps, hybrids (hydraulic with another mechanism to help the hydraulic system), and electric (servo motors).This process requires an abundance of electrical consumption. EVA is a copolymer, the most common technique in manufacturing for plastic is polymer injection molding. How do they do this? An injection method can be assumed that allows for the materials to be manipulated into the final product. These are the general aspects of the two main materials of foam runners, now how are they used in the manufacturing process of the shoe itself?Īs previously mentioned, Yeezy uses molds of this foam to produce the foam runner. If the farming of algae is genetically modified in any way, this could feed the problem of fast spreading algae, causing more harm to the environment than good. On the contrary, because Yeezy only discloses having a hydroponic farm for harvesting this material, the ethics of it can only be assumed.Algae is known to use up oxygen from the water, in turn affecting aquatic life negatively. It is implied that algae itself is sustainable, but since technology of the foam includes a mix of EVA in the algae foam, that the result is less ideal as the best alternative. Algae combined with the EVA allows for improvement in output qualities, but is not biodegradable. Hydroponics is a more sustainable alternative as it reduces water consumption while still providing all the nutrients needed for the algae to grow. Yeezy claims to have their own farms for harvesting this algae, harvesting it through hydroponics, which is a process that grows plants without any soil. Algae offers a more environmentally friendly alternative in materials as it reduces the amount of phosphorus and ammonia in waste water industrially and agriculturally. The other major material that is publicly available about foam runners is algae, which combines with the EVA. Polyurethane can be cross linked with EVA, if this is the case with the Yeezy foam runner, additional raw materials that would be considered are, isocyanates, polyols, hydroxybenzotriazole, monomeric and polymeric hindered phenols, all used in polyethylene. Adidas has previously used polyurethane in products such as Adidas slides, which is potentially another material used in Yeezy’s, paired with this EVA foam. Yeezy has mentioned the use of molds to create this shape, which we can assume follows one of these techniques since we do not have a direct source of how they are manufactured. EVA can be injected into molds, extruded, blow molded, and thermoformed. Additionally, it is a versatile, soft, rubbery copolyester, accepting color easily factors that are ideal for footwear. ![]() The flexibility of this material allows the foam runner to mold into the unique shape. EVA is a copolymer “a thermoplastic elastomer (rubber) characterized by both rigidity and flexibility, as respectively provided by the thermoplastic (low-density polyethylene) and elastomeric (vinyl acetate) segments, which in differing proportions affect the polymer's properties”. The Foam Runner utilizes the foam to form the whole structure of the shoe, not using it in just the soles. The Yeezy Foam Runner is solely made from a mix of EVA and algae foam, molded into the product we see today.ĮVA foam is a popular secondary material used in the footwear industry, usually used in the sole of the shoe for comfort. To further assess the validity of Adidas' previous pledge of being eco-friendly, we look into all raw materials used, both primary and secondary. The question is: What materials does Yeezy use in their Foam Runners, and how are these materials implemented in the manufacturing process and waste? Although Yeezy states its efforts in continuing to be environmentally friendly, what and how all raw materials are implemented, beginning to end, is not publicly stated. With the amount of consumption through fashion industries today, knowing whether or not a product purchased contains eco-friendly materials holds great importance. The focus of this shoe was to create an environmentally friendly substitute in footwear through the use of more sustainable resources. In 2020, artist Kanye West debuted the Foam Runner shoe that continues in popularity throughout the sneaker industry. With the popularity of the brand, the shoe has continued to grow in demand under the multinational company, Adidas. Yeezy is a growing brand in the footwear industry, primarily designed by rapper, Kanye West. ![]()
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