On uses captured carbon for shoe midsoles and CovationBio launches stretch Sorona fiber for apparel

Swiss sportswear brand On has introduced a new midsole foam made from captured carbon emissions. The material, developed in partnership with a carbon capture company, turns waste CO2 into a lightweight foam used in running shoes. This is one of the first commercial applications of captured carbon in footwear, showing a real use case for carbon utilization beyond storage. CovationBio also launched a stretch version of its Sorona fiber, which is partially made from renewable plant-based ingredients. The new fiber adds elasticity without relying on petroleum-based spandex, aiming to reduce the carbon footprint of stretch fabrics. Both innovations target the apparel and footwear industry's push for lower embodied carbon in materials. The article is worth reading for anyone tracking how carbon capture and bio-based polymers are moving from lab concepts into actual products. It gives concrete examples of companies betting on these technologies at scale.