MuCell Technology improves running shoes performance

WILMINGTON, MA-Production of running shoes is a science as there is a need to combine the right form, function and materials to come up with a model that can achieve the highest performance and fit. Trexel’s MuCell technology recently helped New Balance achieve greater performance by incorporating the technology in the development of the running shoe components.

The current moulding programme for mid sole and heel components is incorporated into the production of over 1+ million pairs of running shoes a year. The running shoe designs utilise 3 different forefront parts – in 23 sizes along with 2 heel parts in 6 different sizes, all molded with MuCell. 

New Balance has incorporated the MuCell processing technology into its manufacturing process for over 4 years now. It has allowed the company to customise its designs to offer premium cushioning with a reduced amount of material. It found the durability of these components exceeding standard foam running shoe applications – offering a longer wearing shoe with more rebound and energy return tor customers. For years, Trexel has worked with the automotive industry leaders to develop numerous shock absorbing and material lightweighting applications. In the process, it realised that the same technology can also be applied for athletic shoes that require the same benefits of cushioning, weight and material reduction,, explained Steve Braig, President and CEO of Trexel, Inc. 

The MuCell Microcellular Foam technology from Trexel Inc. is a complete process and equipment technology that enables the production of high quality plastic parts with significantly enhanced dimensional stability, lower weight/material and reduced cycle time. MuCell technology involves the introduction of precisely metered quantities of atmospheric gases (nitrogen or carbon dioxide) in the plasticising unit of an injection moulding machine to create a microcellular material structure in the end product. The creation of these microcellular structures brings a wide array of benefits including an increased part quality along with reduced production costs.