BASF opens Footwear Innovation Centre in Taiwan

The new facility will feature a biomechanics laboratory, interactive footwear exhibits and manufacturing resources.

Germany-based chemicals producer BASF has opened a global Footwear Innovation Centre in Changhua, Taiwan, located within the footwear manufacturing site of its strategic partner, Longterm Concept (LTC). According to the company, this new facility will be used to bring together footwear professionals, manufacturers and designers to co-create new-generation footwear. The 650 square metre (7,000 square foot) centre is said to be an immersive environment where BASF can help various brand owners to drive footwear transformation, while highlighting the company’s footwear materials and manufacturing technologies from LTC.

The Footwear Innovation Centre features three main areas. The ‘Design Zone’ is an interactive display of performance materials and artwork designed to stimulate footwear design processes. The ‘Functional Zone’ has been created as an immersive area to inspire visitors to generate forward-thinking footwear solutions, and the ‘Creation Zone’ is said to be an inspirational area that showcases existing designs to encourage ideas and co-production of breakthrough footwear solutions.

The Footwear Innovation Centre will also house a biomechanics laboratory, where scientific tests will be conducted to develop new footwear solutions that enhance performance, comfort, and improve athletic performance. BASF has existing footwear development centres, in Italy, the USA and Thailand, in addition to a product development centre in China.

Publishing Data

This article was originally published on page 3 of the October 2020 issue of SATRA Bulletin.

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