- Elastollan® GripTec series includes three distinct grades to support diverse performance & design needs across multiple footwear categories
- Life Cycle Assessment confirms Elastollan GripTec offers environmental advantages over conventional materials in manufacturing
- BASF at CHINAPLAS 2026: Booth 7.2C41, National Exhibition & Convention Center, Shanghai, China
Shanghai, China – March 26, 2026 – 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.
About BASF
At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. Our ambition: We want to be the preferred chemical company to enable our customers’ green transformation. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Around 108,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio comprises, as core businesses, the segments Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, and Nutrition & Care; our standalone businesses are bundled in the segments Surface Technologies and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of around €60 billion in 2025. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the United States. Further information at www.basf.com.
About BASF’s Performance Materials division
BASF’s Performance Materials division drives the transformation of the plastics industry by uniting sustainability with high performance. Our materials expertise, deep industry know-how, and broad product portfolio make us the preferred partner for comprehensive solutions across the plastics lifecycle. With dedicated material-focused teams, strong R&D power, and a global production network close to our customers, we deliver tailored offerings that meet regional and industry-specific needs. Our products enhance performance and efficiency in key sectors such as automotive, construction, consumer goods, and industrial applications. Together with our partners, we embark on #OurPlasticsJourney towards a more circular and sustainable future. In 2025, the Performance Materials division achieved global sales of €6.4 billion.
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Further information at https://www.performance-materials.basf.com.
