Panorama of natural fibers applied in Brazilian footwear: materials and market

Footwear material is of great importance mainly considering the user’s health. There are many components in contact with upper and mainly lower part of foot, being the sole essential part to weight distribution, muscle activity and vertebral column. This study aimed to verify how the natural fibers are applied at Brazilian market footwear, demonstrating the types of raw materials utilized, textile constructions and other variables. As well as comparing the information at natural fibers applications data from economics sources and material employment at the footwear international market. The methodology was based in literature research and interviews with Brazilian companies. The employment of natural fibers in footwear corresponds to a small part in comparison of synthetic fibers. Cellulosic fibers have been researched to reinforce rubbers and they are applied to sole as snow footwear. In addition, these fibers are being researched as biodegradable materials, showing innovations for instance, the use of leather waste, coconut fiber and latex, multilayers fabrics and finishing process adding bactericide properties to cotton. Brazilian footwear industry is finding solutions to reduce production costs in order to compete in the international market. One of the strategies is the gradual replacement of leather by fabrics, synthetic polymers and rubbers. The interviews identified the employment of cotton, raffia and jute fabrics especially in footwear summer collections. Thus, the increasing of researches about recycling footwear components and the development of biodegradable materials points a sustainability trend in this sector.