The global footwear materials market continues to grow steadily, driven by rising health awareness, widespread sports culture, and demand for performance-driven products. As technology advances, the industry is embracing new materials to meet higher standards of durability, comfort, and sustainability.
At the 12th Shoe Materials Industry Forum, leading brands including NIKE, Adidas, New Balance, PUMA, Brooks, Anta, Li-Ning, HOKA, ON, ASICS, Skechers, FILA, Zhongqiao, Peak, Converse, Timberland, Mizuno, Decathlon, Xtep, 361°, ALTRA, Under Armour, Hongxing Erke, and Warrior 1927, along with top material and additives suppliers, gathered to explore emerging solutions for footwear.
Snapelastomer Leads Footwear Innovation
Chengdu Silike Technology Co., Ltd.(SILIKE) is a leading Chinese manufacturer of silicone-based plastic additives and thermoplastic elastomers for the plastics and rubber industries.
Since 2006, SILIKE has focused on the footwear materials market, continuously advancing silicone modification technology to develop specialized anti-abrasion solutions for shoe soles. SILIKE’s Anti-Abrasion Masterbatch enhances wear resistance beyond standard silicone additives. This proven, material-compatible solution significantly improves abrasion resistance without compromising comfort, aesthetics, or processing efficiency.
Building on over a decade of experience, SILIKE continues to push the boundaries of silicone modification technology to create shoe sole solutions that enhance durability, comfort, and processability.
At this year’s forum, SILIKE showcased its new Slip- and Wear-Resistant Elastomer, Snapelastomer, across athletic, leather, and fashion footwear. This debut highlights Snapelastomer’s ability to overcome the long-standing “slip vs. wear” trade-off, marking a major advance in EVA sole innovation.
Snapelastomer is SILIKE’s latest material innovation, engineered to meet the evolving demands of high-performance, safer, and longer-lasting footwear.
Shoe Industry Implications of Snapelastomer
Snapelastomer’s debut reflects broader trends in the footwear materials industry:
Rising demand for high-performance EVA soles that combine durability and grip
Increased focus on footwear safety and wearer comfort
The footwear industry’s move toward functional and sustainable material solutions
By introducing Snapelastomer, SILIKE reinforces its position as a leading innovator in silicone-based additives for footwear, signaling to brands and compounders that new solutions are available to meet modern challenges.
FAQ: 12th Shoe Materials Forum 2026 – Latest Shoe Tech, Material Innovations, Applications, and Solutions
1. What is Snapelastomer?
Snapelastomer is SILIKE’s new Slip-Resistant & Wear-Resistant Elastomer, recently showcased at the 12th Shoe Materials Industry Forum. It is designed to enhance durability and grip in EVA shoe soles for athletic, fashion, and leather footwear.
2. Was Snapelastomer demonstrated at the forum?
Yes, SILIKE presented Snapelastomer in various footwear types, highlighting its potential to address the slip vs. wear trade-off in EVA soles.
3. Which companies attended the forum?
Leading global footwear brands, including NIKE, Adidas, New Balance, Puma, Brooks, ASICS, FILA, Li Ning, as well as suppliers and material innovators, attended the forum.
4. Why do EVA soles usually face a trade-off between slip and wear?
Enhancing abrasion resistance often reduces surface friction, while improving slip resistance can compromise durability. Both properties depend on surface energy and material phase behavior, which are difficult to balance with conventional additives.
5. How does Snapelastomer solve the slip vs wear trade-off?
Snapelastomer enables dual-performance optimization at the elastomer level, providing both high durability and superior grip without compromising comfort or processability.
6. Where can I learn more about Snapelastomer?
SILIKE will release a detailed follow-up article with technical specifications, application insights, and compound solutions for Snapelastomer.
Stay tuned for detailed Snapelastomer EVA sole applications and performance insights from SILIKE.
Learn how leading footwear brands leverage next-generation EVA materials for durability, grip, and safety.
Discover the latest in footwear performance with SILIKE’s Snapelastomer — a slip- and wear-resistant elastomer.
Media Contact
Company Name: Chengdu Silike Technology Co., Ltd.
Email: Send Email
Country: China
Website: https://www.siliketech.com/