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Vibram is the global number one producer of high-performance rubber soles, and through its commitment to innovation, it has, over the years, managed to revolutionise standards in grip, traction, lightness and durability, offering reliable and safe soles for the accident prevention and sport sectors, as well as for everyday use. Attentive since the very beginning to the environment and nature, Vibram has now managed to combine the concepts of performance and respect for the environment, also introducing the EcoStep Pro compound, which uses 30% of recycled Vibram rubber, to the accident-prevention footwear sector.
We discussed Vibram’s commitment to environmental sustainability with Marco Guazzoni, the Director of Sustainability at Vibram, and with Vincenzo Milani, the Sales Manager for the accident prevention sector.
Q: When did Vibram decide to approach the subject of sustainability? What were the first steps taken?
MG: We began in 1994 to develop projects and ideas with the goal of becoming more sustainable. It was a period in which this problem was still not considered, and people were surprised with the concept of recycling. It was then that we began to develop ideas in this direction, creating the first compound with 30% recycled material from industrial offcuts; the renowned “EcoStep” sole, now employed in the EcoStep Recycle range for a number
of applications.
When one talks about sustainability, it is extremely important to concentrate on reducing the quantity of offcuts produced, and on the upcycling of what cannot be avoided, examining this aspect as early as the product design phase, as well as on how the product can be reused at the end of the primary purpose for which it was created, in light of circular economy.
Q: Can you give us some data on the impact of the changes made?
MG: Vibram is particularly focused on how to improve its impact. On the one hand, through the management of offcuts; our aim is to reduce them to a minimum, and to reuse what cannot be avoided.
Of these, 80% is sent to companies that recycle or reuse the offcuts as a secondary raw material, a proportion is used in waste-to-energy plants, and just 5% is disposed of.
On the other hand, we are working hard to reduce the consumption of energy which, in any case – as a strategic move – is purchased whenever possible from renewable sources (in 2021, 88% of energy for internal production on a global scale was from renewable sources). This allowed us in 2021 to avoid releasing 5642 tons of CO2 equivalent in to the atmosphere.
A further area of focus is product and process innovation. We are constantly searching for low impact materials. For the sport and lifestyle sector, we recently presented the EcoStep Natural compound, made with more than 90% natural ingredients, and one of our obsessions is product durability. We carry out studies to make sure that each sole is created for a different purpose, making it more resistant.
Q: What are Vibram’s goals for the future?
We periodically analyse the entire company, seeking to understand our supply chain in increasing detail. With the utmost transparency, we keep the public up to date on the most pressing and immediate changes that we want to make, involving citizens together with all the stakeholders in guiding us, through their feedback, on what we then make our priorities.
In 2022 we began producing a Sustainability Report, which allows us to explain all the steps we are taking.
Our strategic plan has taken shape on a number of points, which serve as cornerstones for our improvement. These include reducing the energy consumed by our factories, and limiting impact as much as possible. Then there is a reduction in the energy consumed for each sole produced, a reduction in offcuts, aligning the supply chain to our practices, sourcing new materials and increasing the circularity of our production.
Q: Has there been an increase in demand for sustainable products in recent years within the work & safety sector?
VM: Safety footwear brands are extremely attentive to the environmental impact of their products, also because they target consumers who are increasingly aware, responsible and educated on matters of respect for the environment. Having more sustainable products in the range is a growing need for the top brands in the sector, who want to have a complete range and satisfy the demands of their consumers… but above all for brands that believe in sustainable business. As the sole is a fundamental component in footwear, the fact that it is made with attention towards environmental impact is an important bonus; one that can make a real difference.
Q: What are the main “sustainable” products made by Vibram for the work & safety sector, and what category do they belong to?
VM: Rather than sustainable products, we can talk about products with reduced environmental impact; one is the EcoStep Pro compound; our famous Ecostep Recycle compound, which was created as far back as 1994 for the outdoor sports sector, adapted for the accident prevention sector. The compound is made with as much as 30% of recycled rubber from the recycling of production offcuts of other Vibram compounds, it complies with all regulations regarding safety footwear and offers excellent grip on indoor and outdoor working surfaces. It is versatile and when combined with the right design can offer excellent performance both for this sector and for the utility, heavy duty, oil & gas and even HoReCa sectors.
Q: In a market such as work and safety, how do you manage to supply sustainable products while maintaining the high performance standards required?
VM: Through a complex process of research and development and of product testing. We are now capable of providing the best performance for soles for the accident prevention sector. The knowledge acquired over the years has allowed us to create evolved formulations that have revolutionised standards of grip, lightness and traction. The introduction of recycled rubber to these processes risked impacting on performance, for example regarding grip or durability.
Our R&D department has done an excellent job in managing to find the perfect formula, thus guaranteeing excellent levels of grip and durability.
