CASE STUDY

Release agent from Chem-Trend enables a huge step forward in shoe soles production.

Case Study Rubber: Helping one of the world’s largest footwear producers become more efficient.

WHAT WE ACHIEVED.

A customer was looking for a way to improve their mould release process in their new rotary injection machine to reduce scrap rate and maximize productivity.

As an already highly successful and sophisticated manufacturer, the customer wanted any possible edge to become more efficient. We worked alongside the customer to test and select the ideal solution for their new rotary injection moulding process.

Ultimately, we helped them realize a scrap rate of less than 1.5% by improving their bonding, creating significant improvements in production speed, and achieving a more consistent product quality. All with an environmentally responsible, water-based solution that was regulatory compliant, while requiring less release agent.

HOW WE GOT THERE.

At Chem-Trend, we love a challenge. When faced with exceptionally high customer goals, our highly driven team went to work.

We discovered a number of issues:

The outsole was not properly demoulding
Unnecessary manual work using a pin to dig the outsole from the mould
High scrap rates caused by mould fouling, bonding failure and improper demoulding

We began a series of trials to help alleviate the issues.

OUR SOLUTION.

We developed a new product that created more consistent release and minimised its transfer or migration, leading to a lower scrap rate.

Our impact did not stop there. The new Chem-Trend solution lasted longer, requiring applications every ten cycles vs. the previous 3-5, reducing both the amount of product used and the time needed for additional application. In addition, the ease of release helped reduce the time of demoulding from 35-45 seconds per two pairs to 10-12 seconds. The cumulative effect was game-changing in terms of efficiency, productivity, and consistent product quality.

≥ 100% Durability improvement

Release agent application reduced from every 3-5 cycles to every 10

≥ 300% Improvement in cycle time

Time of moulding every two pairs reduced from 35-45 seconds to 10-12

Less than 1.5%

We achieved a scrap rate of less than 1.5%

Reduced costs

Due to a more efficient, predictable process using less than half the release agent

DATA INSIGHTS

≥ 100% Durability improvement Release agent application reduced from every 3-5 cycles to every 10

≥ 300% Improvement in cycle time Time of moulding every two pairs reduced from 35-45 seconds to 10-12

Less than 1.5% We achieved a scrap rate of less than 1.5%

Reduced costs Due to a more efficient, predictable process using less than half the release agent

HANDPRINT IMPACT

At Chem-Trend, we pride ourselves on our long history of sustainability efforts. However, it is our effect on our customers’ processes that provides the greatest impact. It goes beyond our global Footprint; it is our even wider Handprint.

Here, we achieved the following:

Greater product quality, leading to reduced scrap rate
Reduced energy waste resulting from lower levels of transportation required due to less release agent being used
Greater overall energy efficiency based on improved cycle time

Materials
Waste
Energy