Cirql, a subsidiary of OrthoLite based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, has launched Cirql Zero, an innovative industrially compostable and biodegradable foam for footwear midsoles. This breakthrough was showcased at the ISPO sports show in Munich this week.

According to Matt Thwaites, vice president and general manager of Cirql, footwear brands have long sought a reliable, fully biodegradable material for midsoles. “The midsole has always posed a challenge because brands require both high performance and compostability in a biodegradable option,” Thwaites stated. “After extensive development and testing, we are now able to offer a scalable, cost-effective, and industrially compostable midsole material to our global customers.”

At ISPO Munich, Cirql introduced the Disappearing Shoe, featuring the patent-pending Cirql Zero technology. This midsole uses a unique polymer compound created through supercritical foaming with inert gases.

Cirql Zero is lightweight, comfortable, and durable, with customization options to suit various footwear types, from athletic to luxury designs. It meets industrial composting standards, degrading 90% within 180 days, ensuring it is fully compostable in industrial facilities at the end of its lifecycle.

The foam is produced using supercritical foaming (SCF) technology in an autoclave process, making it compatible with existing manufacturing setups. This scalability allows Cirql Zero to be integrated into mass production, potentially supporting the creation of hundreds of millions of shoes annually. It is a significant step forward for the global footwear industry, combining innovation with sustainability.