Former basketball star Shaquille O’Neal wears them, singer Justin Bieber puts them on and soon millions of people around the world will be wearing sneakers that were created in 3D printers from the Hamburg company Zellerfeld. At least that’s Cornelius Schmitt’s dream. And the 30-year-old is getting closer and closer to this with big, sporty steps.
From Clausthal-Zellerfeld into the world
The industrial engineer from Münster loves extravagant sneakers. Always. Based on this drive, something small was created in his student apartment in the Harz Mountains – more precisely in Clausthal-Zellerfeld near Goslar – which is now a multi-million dollar company and is supported by international stars, designers and shoe brands.
He was just in his early 20s when he built the first printers and set up the appropriate software. “It was just a hobby project as a student. I love shoes.” Even back then, many designers on social media produced much cooler shoe designs than the big brands.
So he simply made a deal with them directly and told some of them: “You give me your design, I’ll print it for free, but in return I can have it too. And that’s basically how it started,” Schmitt remembers the beginning.
The idea made waves, one designer followed the next. At some point Cornelius Schmitt could no longer keep up. Since then, he has taken money when designers and shoe brands print their sneakers using Zellerfeld’s platform. Without license fees. According to the information, the profits are split 60:40 in favor of the designers. “The world’s largest shoe brands are now inquiring about us.”
Database with more than 1,000 sneaker models
And the database grows and grows. Whether extravagant, huge, delicate or completely classic – sneaker fans can now access more than 1,000 different models from designers from all over the world. You can even create your own models.
Stars have also been wearing Zellerfeld sneakers from their favorite designers for a long time or simply designing them themselves. Basketball star O’Neal ordered around 30 shoes in size 60 from the Hamburg-based company. “It was crazy when Justin Bieber wore our shoes. Drake or, for example, Will.i.am wanted shoes from us.” Demand is now huge and interest from investors is high. Zellerfeld is preparing.
There are expected to be up to 2,000 3D printers at the Hamburg location by the end of 2026; so far there are a good 200. There are already hundreds of Zellerfeld printers in Austin in the USA.
Each unit is a black, man-sized box. And inside, behind a pane of glass, a pair of sneakers is made from a thin plastic thread within 12 to 24 hours. Individual orders are tailored exactly to your own foot. Schmitt patented the fully recyclable “Zellerfoam” as well as the technology for 3D printing the shoes.
Normally, the production of a shoe takes up to 24 months from the idea to the store. “It’s one day for us.” Whether it’s an elegant low shoe, sneaker, flip-flops or boots: “It’s only the software that decides what comes out of the printer.” This saves time and costs.
Schmitt wants to soon be able to reduce the costs to 10 to 20 euros per shoe. “And suddenly everyone can make a shoe. And that’s the energy we want to give to the industry.” By 2026, Schmitt wants to produce around a million shoes.
Schmitt is convinced that soon hardly anyone will go to a shoe store anymore. Anyone who can have perfectly fitting shoes printed in their favorite design at any time will not be happy in a shoe store with only a few models. “That’s why I think traditionally made shoes will be a thing of the past.” With his company he is basically revolutionizing the shoe industry.
Association: Technology for entire shoes is not yet fully developed
The Federal Association of the Shoe and Leather Goods Industry, however, sees no threat to the classic shoe trade. You can certainly benefit from developments in the materials sector, says Torben Schütz, deputy general manager of the association. But shoes only made from a 3D printer? “From our point of view, this is not yet fully developed”.
Schmitt also sees a lot of potential. Just a few weeks ago, Zellerfeld and Nike presented the first multi-colored shoes made from a 3D printer. “Another breakthrough and milestone for us,” said Schmitt. “Orthopedically adapted footbeds will also be available soon,” promises the 30-year-old.
