DEVELOPMENT AND MANUFACTURING OF FOOTWEAR FROM AN ALTERNATIVE LEATHER

Abstract

Objective. To investigate the possibilities of using nonwoven material on a plant basis Pinatex® for manufacturing footwear, which is positioned as an alternative to natural animal leather. Methods. Experimental wearing and organoleptic evaluation were used to determine the quality of the Pinatex® material intended to manufacture shoe uppers. The systematic analysis was applied to assess the compliance of the nonwoven material on a plant basis Pinatex® with the quality indicators of natural leather for shoe uppers. Results. It was determined that one of the key factors shaping footwear's quality and competitiveness is the material from which the product is made. According to the study results, the nonwoven material on a plant basis Pinatex® does not meet the functional and consumer requirements for footwear and is inferior in quality indicators to natural cattle leather for shoe uppers. The results of this study do not diminish the importance of plant-based materials for shoe production but only show the direction of their improvement. This is the beginning
of development, a promising step towards meeting innovative materials in the shoe industry that require further study and improvement. Scientific novelty. The need to improve the plant-based nonwoven material Pinatex® with the possibility of using it for shoe uppers has been proven. Practical significance . It has been analyzed that the Pinatex® material has significantly worse physical and mechanical properties compared to natural cattle leather using the chrome tanning method for shoe uppers. Using the Pinatex® material, a model of casual men's shoes with a solid upper and a rear external strap attached to the foot using lacing, an adhesive-stitching method of fastening, was developed and manufactured. The experimental wearing of the developed shoe model was carried out, and its consumer characteristics were evaluated.