Material Technology And Industry Collaboration Empower A New Ecosystem For Running Shoe Midsoles: Lubrizol Releases TPU Physical Foaming White Paper

Against the backdrop of the continuous global growth of running sports and the increasing integration of professional training with everyday running scenarios, running shoe midsoles are evolving from single-function components into key systems that embody performance experience, manufacturing efficiency, and sustainability goals. In response to this structural transformation, Lubrizol—a global leader in specialty chemicals—has officially released the white paper “Material Power, Racing Forward: A New Industrial Ecosystem for TPU Physical Foaming,” systematically presenting the technical rationale, manufacturing pathways, and industrial collaboration framework of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) physical foaming in next-generation running shoe midsoles.

As the inventor of TPU technology, Lubrizol, based on global material innovation and industrial practice, has conducted an in-depth analysis of the structural pressures on midsoles in running shoes in terms of performance, manufacturing, and the environment. It elaborates on how TPU physical foaming breaks through the limitations of EVA chemical foaming, providing the industry with a development path that balances performance breakthroughs and high-quality scale-up. The white paper further points out that the upgrade of midsole technology requires deep synergy between materials, processes, and equipment, and outlines a "dual-track" framework of high-pressure autoclave preform foaming and supercritical injection molding foaming. This framework focuses on the upper limit of performance and on improving manufacturing efficiency and automation levels, jointly supporting a multi-level, global product system.

Lubrizol's Vice President, Ms. Zhang Lu, stated: "The midsole of running shoes is undergoing a profound structural evolution. The competition focus is no longer limited to a single performance metric, but is gradually shifting to a comprehensive consideration of the manufacturing system, experience consistency, and industrial collaboration capabilities. Through this white paper, we hope to transform Lubrizol's long-term technical expertise in TPU physical foaming into a reference framework that helps the industry think about future manufacturing methods and collaboration models. We believe that the next phase of leapfrog development in the running shoe midsole industry will depend on whether an innovation ecosystem centered on experience, efficiency, and collaboration can be established. This is not just a technological evolution, but a systematic upgrade of the entire industry value system."

From the consumer perspective, global runners are continuously raising their expectations for running shoes, moving beyond temporary lightweight or bounce performance to place greater emphasis on long-term durability, consistent experience, and the stable performance of products across different batches and markets. In this trend, the white paper points out that TPU physical foaming is gradually becoming a key technological choice supporting global production systems and multi-regional manufacturing replication. Justin Park, Global Market Director of Lubrizol Footwear, stated: "TPU physical foaming has achieved essential breakthroughs in three dimensions: performance, wearing experience, and environmental performance. It not only brings more efficient bounce feedback and longer-lasting comfort to running shoe midsoles, but also provides the industry with the possibility of more stable, efficient, and replicable manufacturing. From an industry development perspective, the large-scale application of physical foaming technology has become an irreversible industry trend."

Key insights from the white paper released this time are as follows:

Physical foaming is imperative, and dual-track technology must achieve breakthroughs simultaneously.In the context where traditional EVA chemical foaming struggles to simultaneously meet the demands for performance, efficiency, and environmental protection, physical foaming, with its technological advantages, has become an important direction for industrial transformation. The two main technological routes—high-pressure autoclave foaming and supercritical injection foaming—each have their own focus and complementary strengths, jointly promoting the upgrading of midsole materials in running shoes.

TPUis the ideal material basis for physical foaming technology:TPU can balance structural stability and lightweight performance in the physical foaming process. In particular, aliphatic TPU, which has been designed, shows a balanced and excellent performance in terms of rebound efficiency, compression deformation control, and aging resistance, helping the midsole of running shoes to consistently provide a reliable and consistent wearing experience under different usage cycles and manufacturing conditions.

Triple collaboration is opening up a high-quality, large-scale channel, and the industrial ecosystem is being restructured.The white paper emphasizes that the key to high-quality scaling lies in building a "materials-process-equipment" trinity of collaborative systems. Materials determine the upper limit of performance, processes realize the conversion of value, and equipment ensures stable replication. At the same time, the running shoe industry is shifting from a linear supply chain to a "multi-party co-creation" value platform, promoting experience upgrades through collaborative innovation, and ultimately returning to the original point of consumer experience value.

In the field of physical foaming, Lubrizol has long focused on material and process innovation, continuously advancing the technological evolution of TPU in shoe applications, and accelerating the industrialization of advanced technologies through a global layout. In February 2026, the Lubrizol Shanghai Foaming Application Excellence Center (Center of Excellence) was officially established, becoming another important innovation base for foaming technology following Seoul, South Korea. The center connects Lubrizol's global material R&D capabilities with regional application practices, collaborating with processors, equipment suppliers, and brand owners to drive the transformation from material design to commercial application. Through continuous investment and open collaboration, Lubrizol is supporting the running shoe midsole industry in achieving steady progress in performance, consistency, and sustainability, and continuously leading the industrial development of TPU physical foaming technology.

For more information about the white paper, please visit

https://cn.lubrizol.com/company/insights/2026/04/how-tpu-physical-foaming-is-reshaping-the-future-of-footwear-midsoles

Regarding Lubrizol Corporation

Lubrizol, a specialty chemicals company under Berkshire Hathaway, is dedicated to providing sustainable solutions that advance the way people move, improve people's well-being, and enhance the quality of modern life. Every day, innovators at Lubrizol, grounded in scientific exploration, closely align with market needs, guided by business success, to continuously create exceptional value for customers. The company advances new discoveries and creates groundbreaking solutions to improve people's living standards and make the world a better place. Founded in 1928, Lubrizol has manufacturing facilities, sales, and technical offices worldwide, employing nearly 7,000 people, with customers in 100 countries and regions. For more information, please visitwww.Lubrizol.com。