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The recycled material in Poliyou is
waste PU scrap from various industrial
manufacturing processes that has been
ground down by specialist recycling
companies. Ground material for BiFit is
obtained in the same way, then
blended with virgin material and
extruded as sheets to be die-cut or
moulded to produce finished insoles.
Most additives are usually introduced
in order to enhance performance. The
recycled content in J&V’s products
neither improves nor detracts from the
performance of the virgin material
used. Instead, it adds the unique benefit
of creating predominantly recycled
products that help to sustain the
environment in a way that is visibly
eco-friendly to the consumer.
IT’S NOT ALWAYS EASY
The use of recycled material calls for
a careful balance between eco-friendly
and performance parameters. As with
recycled paper and recycled glass
bottles, the correct balance must be
struck in order to achieve the required
specification. As an early proponent of
recycling J&V was something of a
pioneer.
Frank
Roppolo,
VP
International Sales, says that: “J&V
was promoting recycled products
when almost no one else was. Now,
eco-friendly products are finally seen
as good for the environment and that
has been great for our business.”
Heightened consumer awareness
concerning recycling and sustain-
ability has forced the major brands to
address it in their products and
manufacturers to rethink their
business strategies. Industry material
shows now feature ever more green
products as everyone tries to outdo
everyone else in shouting about their
eco-friendly credentials. No doubt we
will all soon take it as a matter of
course. J&V, however, addressed this
long ago and has reaped the reward of
increased business where others have
struggled by not adapting fast enough.
Michel Ohayon, chairman and CEO
sums up by saying: “In today’s market
where green is the latest trend it’s
great to have had over 20 years of
experience both manufacturing and
marketing eco-friendly products. We
are enjoying the rewards that come
from our long-standing environ-
mental ethics matching up with
today’s market demand for such
products.” The fact that over 50% of
J&V’s products are now environ-
mentally friendly would tend to bear
him out.
20
WORLD FOOTWEAR | MARCH/APRIL 2012
Extruded Bi-Fit insole board contains 80% recycled material – light / hard, dark / soft.
PHOTO CREDIT: JONES & VINING
Sustainable
Sustainability is the best way to go as no
waste is created that needs to be recycled at
a later stage. Use is being made of products
that grow naturally and have by-products
that can be exploited without damaging the
environment.
Recycled
Recycling remains important so that
companies don’t waste materials that can be
used again. It has the benefit of reducing the
amount of virgin material consumed in order
meet production demands and of harbouring
valuable resources.
Biozyme
Biozyme is a new type of additive that could
have a significant environmentally-friendly
impact. When added to PUs or EVAs, it
causes them to biodegrade in around 20
years in landfill; without it they can take up
to 1,000 years. It is unique in that a
component containing it will not begin to
biodegrade until organisms presen t in the
landfill interact with it, so it will not degrade
while still in use.
SOME DEFINING POINTS