Borealis has unveiled a new ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) material derived from renewable sources, tailored specifically for footwear midsoles. Known for its lightweight, foam-like properties, EVA offers the comfort, cushioning and structural support essential in midsole applications. The new EVA grade is part of the company’s Bornewables™ portfolio and delivers the same performance and durability as fossil-based materials—while enabling a carbon footprint reduction of up to 45%.

The Bornewables product line comprises high-performance materials made from feedstocks sourced entirely from waste and residue streams. These include by-products from vegetable oil production, waste oils and residues from the timber and food industries. Each product in the line is certified under the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC PLUS) scheme, which ensures full traceability from the point of origin through the supply chain.

The debut application of the renewable EVA grade is featured in the Cloud 6, a lifestyle shoe from Swiss footwear brand On. This new midsole maintains the same level of comfort, resilience and performance that customers expect from the brand, while significantly reducing the product’s environmental impact.

Chris McArdle, Borealis vice president of global marketing, said the new material represents a meaningful advance for customers focused on sustainability. “We’re pleased to support our customers in achieving their sustainability goals with this high-performance, renewable EVA solution,” McArdle said. “This is one of the many ways we’re reinventing essentials for sustainable living.”

The introduction of this renewables-based EVA grade is a strategic move by Borealis to further promote circularity within the plastics and footwear industries. By combining advanced material science with sustainable sourcing, Borealis aims to help brands meet growing environmental expectations without sacrificing quality or performance.

As consumer demand for environmentally responsible products increases, the footwear industry is under pressure to innovate across its supply chains. Borealis’ renewable EVA solution addresses this challenge directly by offering a drop-in alternative to conventional materials with significantly lower environmental costs.

The development underscores Borealis’ commitment to circular economy principles and highlights the potential of collaborative innovation to drive sustainable transformation in everyday applications.

Borealis is a global leader in advanced and sustainable polyolefin solutions. In Europe, the company also stands out as a pioneer in polyolefin recycling and a key producer of base chemicals. With decades of experience and deep expertise in polymers, Borealis delivers innovative, value-driven, and circular material solutions across critical sectors, including consumer goods, energy, healthcare, infrastructure and mobility.