Become an IMR Panelist
IMR Logo

Footwear Sole Material Market - Comprehensive Study Report & Recent Trends 2024-2032

Footwear Sole Material Market By Material Type (Rubber, EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate), PU (Polyurethane), PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride), Leather, TPR (Thermoplastic Rubber), Other), End Use (Sports Footwear, Casual Footwear, Formal Footwear, Safety Footwear, Others), Footwear Type (Men???s Footwear, Women???s Footwear, Children???s Footwear), Distribution Channel (Online, Offline), and Region

  • Report ID : 19862
  • Category : Chemicals
  • Format :Excel formatPDF formatWord format
Request Sample

Footwear Sole Material Market Synopsis:

Footwear Sole Material Market Size Was Valued at USD 22.98 Billion in 2023, and is Projected to Reach USD 34.45 Billion by 2032, Growing at a CAGR of 4.6% From 2024-2032.

The Footwear Sole Material Market is the specialty of the footwear industry which deals in manufacturing of shoe soles. These are rubber, EVA, PU, PVC, leather, TPR and other with different properties as durability, flexibility, comfort, and wear resistance abilities. Selection of sole material is critical to determine comfort, working efficiency, and durability of footwear products.

The footwear sole material market is an essential part of the global footwear industry market. Current customers’ need long-wearing, lightweight, and cushioned soles due to sports, casual, and cover wear footwear. The market is described to be in a state of constant growth due to the consumer trend in high performance with fashionable, multi-purpose footwear. Materials applied to sole should be meeting functional requirements along with appearance criterion and the important factor, sustainability. Rubber, EVA, PU, PVC, TPR are the most popular materials; each has its advantages in attachable elements such as comfort, cushioning, and shock absorbing properties.

Manufacturing technologies have also supported the growth of the market and contributed to the development of the new sole materials with better characteristics. For example, EVA is used due to its light weight and it also brings certain amount of shock in products such as sports shoes. Likewise, rubber and PU are used for their abrasion resistance and antislip properties, important in end uses that are out door and safety footwear. They have also affected the market in which competition has upped through new inventions that focus on the environmentally sustainable products as well as recyclable ones.

Due to increasing demand for shoes with better performance and comfort the global footwear sole material market is likely to show more innovation. Manufacturers are more and more concentrating on developments on materials of shoes themselves like soles which contain smart elements like sensors to monitor physical exercise. The fast growth of internet retailing where the consumers have shifted from physically buying the footwear to making the purchases online has also boosted the market, as the access of the global market to a variety of footwear brands and sole materials.

Footwear Sole Material Market

Footwear Sole Material Market Trend Analysis:

Sustainable Materials in Footwear Soles

  • The focus on sustainability has gradually become a part of the footwear industry and returns to make eco-damages in the shoe soles. There is increasing consumer awareness on environmental issues, which leads to the growing quest for shoes produced from lightweight, recycled or biodegradable or minimum impact materials. Some of the major footwear brands are trying to avoid the usage of rubbers, PVC, and other unsustainable materials and replacing them with plant-based polymers, recycled rubber and bio-based materials in soles. But also the materials in these products are environmental friendly and will suit all customers who prefer eco-friendly products when making their purchase.
  • This trend is pushing change in the development of the footwear sole material market with companies increasing researching and development efforts in the production of material that will perform as well as be more environmentally friendly. Further impacting the adoption of the sustainable material, the legal push from the government and the social pressure from the companies unable to respond to the consumer demand for environmentally friendly products. Therefore, we predict that environmentally friendly soles shall experience stronger adoption in subsequent years as firms integrate their corporate social responsiveness and environmental goals with customers’ preferences.

Growth in Sports and Active Footwear

  • Growing demand of sports related shoes and faster active life styles is a key driving factor to the growth of footwear sole material market. As more and more people turn to engaging in fitness related activities, outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and sports the demand for shoes for these activities is increasing. This has especially put pressure on the improvement of sole materials especially in sports footwear. Materials including EVA and PU are progressively utilized in sports shoes because they offer better cushioning, shock absorption, light weight and enhanced performance compared with athletes.
  • Additionally, with people focusing more on being fit in the current world, therefore, sports footwear is hoped to have market growth more often. This presents lots of avenues for shoe makers to spend on research and develop elongated soles that give better grip, flexibility and endurance. A growing appreciation of the need for physical activity will continue to drive the opportunities for high-performance sports footwear Over the forecast period, this needs will continue to impact and influence the footwear sole material market.

Footwear Sole Material Market Segment Analysis:

Footwear Sole Material Market is Segmented on the basis of Material Type, Footwear Type, Distribution Channel, End User, and Region

By Material Type, Rubber segment is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period

  • Categorically based on the material, rubber is most common used in the soles of shoes because of its hardness and friction. Application of rubber soles is most preferred in outdoor and safety shoes as it needs durability and good friction and wear properties. EVA is particularly attractive for lights, superior shock absorbent characteristics, light weight and so widely used in sports and casual shoe products. PU is relatively hard-wearing while still providing flexibility and is found in both leisure and business shoes.
  • There are also PVC and TPR materials are also found in outsole, PVC provides inexpensive shoes and TPR has good abrasion and flexibility. Typically a bottom with a leather sole is more traditional but it is still preferred for high-end formal footwear due to its luxurious reputation and high wear-resistance. The versatility thereby allows the footwear manufacturers to develop shoes with the variety of demands such as comfortability or performance demands.

By End User, Sports Footwear segment expected to held the largest share

  • The end user segment of the market of footwear sole material divides into sports footwear sole material, casual shoes sole material, formal shoes sole material, safety shoes sole material, and other. Again, by far the largest category is sports footwear where components like EVA and PU widely apply to such products as running shoes, hiking boots, etc. The leisure shoe also enjoys a good market share since the consumers focus on comfort as well as appearance the weightless and cushion sole material are thus they are much in demand.
  • Another rising segment is safety footwear, following the demand for the robust and protective footwear required at work places especially in industries and construction sites. This category uses rubber and TPR soles because they are hard wearing and provide good resistance to slipping. Although as a subsegment, formal footwear has lesser volumes still they wished to use high end material like leather and rubber for styling as well as functionality. Athleisure; Kid’s, men’s, women’s wear; and others – Other category includes shoes for specific purposes like orthopedic or medical shoe.

Footwear Sole Material Market Regional Insights:

North America is Expected to Dominate the Market Over the Forecast period

  • North America remains the largest market for footwear sole material due to the advanced manufacturing facilities, higher disposable income, and continuously growing demand for specific type of footwear. The region has many bare footwear units, both local and imported, which spend a large percentage of their earnings on research and development in the manufacturing of new soles. Also the United States and Canadian populations’ orientation towards sports and active recreation and the consequent prevalence of high-performance shoes, defines the growth of the advanced sole materials market.
  • Moreover, North America has been very much conscious of sustainability and has caused so much emphasis on the utilization of environmentally friendly materials in footwear manufacturing which are market trends. Stringent governmental policies to encourage environment friendly production processes and eco friendly products are another factor which boosts the growth of the footwear sole material market in this area. Consequently, North America is predicted to continue to control the market in the near future.

Active Key Players in the Footwear Sole Material Market:

  • Asahi Kasei Corporation (Japan)
  • BASF SE (Germany)
  • Birla Carbon (India)
  • Dow Chemical Company (USA)
  • Evonik Industries AG (Germany)
  • Huntsman Corporation (USA)
  • Kraton Polymers (USA)
  • Lanxess AG (Germany)
  • LyondellBasell Industries (Netherlands)
  • PolyOne Corporation (USA)
  • SABIC (Saudi Arabia)
  • Solvay S.A. (Belgium)
  • Other Active Players

Footwear Sole Material Market

Base Year:

2023

Forecast Period:

2024-2032

Historical Data:

2017 to 2023

Market Size in 2023:

USD 22.98 Billion

Forecast Period 2024-32 CAGR:

 4.6%

Market Size in 2032:

USD 34.45 Billion

Segments Covered:

By Material Type

  • Rubber
  • EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate)
  • PU (Polyurethane)
  • PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
  • Leather
  • TPR (Thermoplastic Rubber)
  • Othe

By End User

  • Sports Footwear
  • Casual Footwear
  • Formal Footwear
  • Safety Footwear
  • Others

By Region

  • North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico)
  • Eastern Europe (Russia, Bulgaria, The Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Rest of Eastern Europe)
  • Western Europe (Germany, UK, France, The Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Rest of Western Europe)
  • Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, The Philippines, Australia, New-Zealand, Rest of APAC)
  • Middle East & Africa (Turkiye, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, Israel, South Africa)
  • South America (Brazil, Argentina, Rest of SA)

Key Market Drivers:

  • Advancements in Manufacturing Technologies

Key Market Restraints:

  • Volatility in Raw Material Prices

Key Opportunities:

  • Growth in Sports and Active Footwear

Companies Covered in the report:

  • BASF SE (Germany), Dow Chemical Company (USA), Evonik Industries AG (Germany), SABIC (Saudi Arabia), Huntsman Corporation (USA), Asahi Kasei Corporation (Japan), Lanxess AG (Germany), Kraton Polymers (USA), Solvay S.A. (Belgium) and Other Active Players.

Frequently Asked Questions :

What would be the forecast period in the Footwear Sole Material Market research report?
The forecast period in the Footwear Sole Material Market research report is 2024-2032.
Who are the key players in the Footwear Sole Material Market?
BASF SE (Germany), Dow Chemical Company (USA), Evonik Industries AG (Germany), SABIC (Saudi Arabia), Huntsman Corporation (USA), Asahi Kasei Corporation (Japan), Lanxess AG (Germany), Kraton Polymers (USA), Solvay S.A. (Belgium) and Other Active Players.
What are the segments of the Footwear Sole Material Market?
The Footwear Sole Material Market is segmented into Material Type, Footwear Type, Distribution Cahnnel, End User and region. By Material Type, the market is categorized into Rubber, EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate), PU (Polyurethane), PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride), Leather, TPR (Thermoplastic Rubber), Other. By End User, the market is categorized into Sports Footwear, Casual Footwear, Formal Footwear, Safety Footwear, Others. By Footwear Type, the market is categorized into Men???s Footwear, Women???s Footwear, Children???s Footwear. By Distribution Channel, the market is categorized into Online, Offline. By region, it is analyzed across North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico), Eastern Europe (Russia, Bulgaria, The Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Rest of Eastern Europe), Western Europe (Germany, UK, France, The Netherlands, Italy, Russia, Spain, Rest of Western Europe), Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, The Philippines, Australia, New-Zealand, Rest of APAC), Middle East & Africa (Turkiye, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, Israel, South Africa), South America (Brazil, Argentina, Rest of SA).
What is the Footwear Sole Material Market?
The Footwear Sole Material Market is the specialty of the footwear industry which deals in manufacturing of shoe soles. These are rubber, EVA, PU, PVC, leather, TPR and other with different properties as durability, flexibility, comfort, and wear resistance abilities. Selection of sole material is critical to determine comfort, working efficiency, and durability of footwear products.
How big is the Footwear Sole Material Market?
Footwear Sole Material Market Size Was Valued at USD 22.98 Billion in 2023, and is Projected to Reach USD 34.45 Billion by 2032, Growing at a CAGR of 4.6% From 2024-2032.
Request Sample

Related Reports

Services Designed to Meet Your Priorities

Understand your customers' needs so can deliver better services and experiences.

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Stay in touch with us to get latest news and discount coupons.