In partnership with LanzaTech, Borealis and Technip Energies, Swiss sports brand On is launching a shoe called Cloudprime. Described by the company as “the first-ever shoe made from carbon emissions,” the Cloudprime is made of CleanCloud EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) foam, which uses industrially emitted carbon as a raw material.
In November 2021 – as reported by SGI Europe at the time – On announced it was shifting away from petroleum-based resources and developing a new foam material, called CleanCloud. Technology from LanzaTech captures carbon monoxide emitted from industrial sources before it is released into the atmosphere. These emissions enter a patented fermentation process. With the aid of bacteria, the carbon-rich gas ferments naturally and is converted into ethanol, which Technip Energies then dehydrates to produce ethylene. Borealis then polymerizes the ethylene into EVA in the form of small plastic pellets, the lightweight material that On starts working with to create a performance foam for shoes.
