Rheom Materials Introduced Biobased Footwear Materials
The Texas-based company launched two sustainable materials designed for high-performance shoe manufacturing.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Materials Science
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Rheom Materials has introduced two new biobased footwear materials, Benree and Shorai Dura. These products aim to provide sustainable alternatives for high-heel and durable shoe applications.
Why it matters
These materials offer manufacturers a way to reduce carbon emissions and integrate biodegradable components into footwear. The move addresses industry demand for eco-friendly performance textiles that meet traditional durability standards.
Shorai Dura achieved 500,000 cycles in Bally Flex testing and 70,000 revolutions in Martindale abrasion tests. Benree utilizes 100% USDA-certified biobased content, while Shorai Dura incorporates 76% to 83% biobased materials.
The players
Rheom Materials
A materials science company based in Texas that focuses on developing sustainable, biobased alternatives for the footwear industry.
Bared Footwear
An Australian footwear brand that partnered with Rheom Materials to conduct performance testing on the new biobased products.
The details
Benree is designed to be biodegradable under home-composting conditions and was tested by Bared Footwear for high-heel applications against acrylonitrile butadiene styrene plastic. Shorai Dura provides an alternative to polyurethane leather while maintaining resistance to cracking and wear.
Timeline
October 12, 2026: The company announced the introduction of the new materials.
The Big Picture
This development marks a technical shift toward replacing petroleum-based polyurethane leather with high-performance biobased alternatives. The successful testing of these materials signals a transition away from traditional synthetic polymers toward renewable, compostable inputs in mass-market fashion.
The introduction of these materials could lead to more durable, home-compostable shoe options hitting the market in the near future. As these technologies are integrated into manufacturing, consumers may soon find high-heel and casual footwear that produces significantly lower carbon emissions.
The takeaway
These sustainable innovations prove that biobased materials can now match the rigorous mechanical stress tests required for commercial footwear. Manufacturers should monitor these materials to reduce their reliance on petroleum-based synthetics in upcoming product lines.
Further reading
For more information on the latest innovations in sustainable manufacturing, visit the Materials Science section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Biofuelsdigest.
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