IPR, rubber goes circular

IPR develops a new compound with 30% recycled material

IPR develops a new compound with 30% recycled material With over 45 years of experience in the sector, the company led by Ruggero Ruggeri and his family, initially specialized in the production of polyurethane soles, stands out for the production of high-quality soles. In 1991, the product range was expanded to include rubber and thermoplastic soles, demonstrating a constant desire for innovation and a growing attention to market needs. “The stylistic and material research – underlines Ruggeri – has been continuous. Everything we produce is developed internally with the support of some certified external laboratories. Among the materials we use, high-performance polyurethane in particular has lightness and flexibility as main characteristics; moreover, it can also be totally recycled and reintroduced into the production process”. Following investments in environmental sustainability and safe products, a rubber compound composed of 30% recycled rubber from waste produced during the processing phases has been developed, an important step forward that allows to reduce the environmental impact and to offer customers high-performance and environmentally friendly products. Ruggeri continues: “To counter the contraction of the footwear market, we are trying to diversify our production, exploring new sectors such as safety and sport despite the lack of specialized personnel and the seasonality of production being a significant obstacle to our growth. We believe that greater support from the institutions is essential to safeguard the Italian footwear industry, which risks being supplanted by competition from Far East countries. Entire production districts, with their tradition and their know-how, could disappear, with serious economic and social consequences for our country.”

IPR – www.iprspa.com