Danish shoe manufacturer Ecco, in partnership with Finnish materials innovator Spinnova, announces the launch of the limited edition Ecco BIOM® 720. This is the first shoe of its kind to use an often-overlooked byproduct of leather manufacturing that is converted into a protein-based fiber. The fibers are manufactured using a patented technology. This drives material innovation, reduces waste and supports full resource utilization in the leather and textile industries.
Ecco and Spinnova began working together in 2020 with a joint venture. This investigated how raw materials from leather by-products can be used as textile fibers. Using the unique technology, by-products of leather production that would normally be discarded, burned for energy or composted are instead converted into long-lasting fibers. This gives residues a completely new function and lifespan. Unlike traditional recycling methods that downcycle leather into inferior applications, this process preserves the natural integrity of the leather fiber. This enables performance suitable for textile manufacturing.
The technology is based on mechanical refining rather than chemical dissolution. So-called ‘wet blue shavings’, thin layers that are removed to achieve a uniform leather thickness, are processed into continuous filaments made of textile fibers. These can be cut into textile-quality fibers. The resulting material has a tensile strength comparable to wool and an elongation at break about twice that of cotton, combining durability and flexibility. This allows for versatile use in woven and knitted textile structures while supporting more efficient manufacturing with reduced production waste.
The launch shows how innovation can transform an undervalued by-product into a valuable new resource. By upcycling leather scraps into high-quality textile fibers, Ecco and Spinnova have developed a circular solution. This preserves material integrity, reduces waste and creates new possibilities for footwear and textile applications. With the debut of protein-based fiber in Ecco shoes, this milestone marks the transition from long-term development to practical use.
“This launch is a significant moment for us as it represents the culmination of over five years of close development work with Ecco. Together we have shown that leather by-products can be transformed into a high-quality textile fiber with commercial relevance. It is gratifying to now see this innovation as part of a finished product,” says Janne Poranen, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Spinnova Plc.
“Working closely with Spinnova, we have explored how new material approaches can unlock the value of existing resources. By combining our expertise with their groundbreaking technology, we are expanding the possibilities of shoe manufacturing,” comments Thomas Gøgsig, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ecco.
The Ecco BIOM® 720 will be available from April 29th on the website and in Ecco stores in the UK and Germany.
This article was created using digital tools translated.
FashionUnited uses artificial intelligence to speed up the translation of articles and improve the end result. They help us to make FashionUnited’s international reporting quickly and comprehensively accessible to a German-speaking readership. Articles translated using AI-based tools are proofread and carefully edited by our editors before they are published. If you have any questions or comments, please email [email protected]