Cirql Zero™ is redefining footwear with its industrially compostable midsole foam, honored with the ISPO BrandNew Award for Sustainability. Scalable and eco-friendly, it’s a breakthrough that sets new standards for responsible manufacturing.
Cirql Zero™: The Future of Sustainable Footwear Manufacturing
In a groundbreaking development for the footwear industry, Cirql™, a Vietnam-based innovation leader, has clinched the prestigious ISPO BrandNew Award in the Sustainability category for its pioneering product, Cirql Zero™. This patent-pending, industrially compostable midsole foam is poised to redefine the lifecycle of footwear, offering a sustainable alternative that combines cutting-edge technology with environmental responsibility.
The ISPO BrandNew Award is the world’s largest and most respected international start-up competition in the sports and outdoor sectors, spotlighting brands that challenge conventional practices. Winning this award underlines Cirql Zero’s potential to set a new benchmark for sustainability in footwear manufacturing.
“We are beyond honored and proud to win the BrandNew Award,” said Matt Thwaites, Vice President and General Manager of Cirql. “This achievement reflects the innovation behind Cirql Zero and its capacity to revolutionize the global footwear industry while addressing urgent environmental challenges.”
Cirql Zero™: Revolutionizing Footwear Sustainability with Industrial Compostability and the Evolution of Technology in the Footwear Industry
From my perspective, Cirql Zero™ represents a monumental achievement in the ongoing push toward sustainability in the footwear industry. As someone who closely observes technological advancements in apparel and footwear, I find Cirql’s innovation not only impressive but necessary. The ISPO BrandNew Award for Sustainability is a well-deserved recognition of their groundbreaking efforts, and it sets a high bar for the industry.
Why This Technology Matters
The footwear industry has long grappled with the environmental repercussions of its manufacturing processes, particularly the waste generated by materials like EVA and PU foams used in midsoles. These materials are durable but contribute significantly to global landfill waste. Cirql Zero™ addresses this issue head-on with its industrially compostable and biodegradable properties.
What stands out to me is its versatility. Cirql Zero™ isn’t just a sustainable alternative—it’s a solution designed to integrate seamlessly with existing production technologies like supercritical foaming (SCF). This ensures that manufacturers can adopt it without substantial disruptions or costs, making it a viable option for widespread industry adoption.
The Broader Impact of Technological Breakthroughs in Apparel and Footwear
Over the past decade, technological advancements have accelerated the evolution of both the apparel and footwear sectors, driving them to new heights in terms of innovation, performance, and sustainability. For example:
- 3D Printing and Rapid Prototyping: Brands can now iterate designs faster, reducing waste and speeding up time to market.
- Smart Materials: Innovations in materials science, such as moisture-wicking fabrics, self-healing textiles, and now biodegradable foams like Cirql Zero™, are reshaping what’s possible in functional design.
- Circular Economy Models: With closed-loop recycling systems gaining traction, brands are finding ways to repurpose old products into new ones, drastically reducing waste.
- Automation and AI: Advanced manufacturing techniques powered by AI are streamlining production, increasing efficiency, and reducing resource consumption.
Cirql Zero™ fits squarely into this narrative of progress. It embodies the potential of material science to create scalable, impactful solutions that align with global sustainability goals.
Why I Remain a Proponent of Technological Advancements
The success of technologies like Cirql Zero™ reinforces my belief that innovation is the key to addressing the most pressing challenges facing the fashion and footwear industries. Sustainability is not a trend—it’s a necessity. To remain competitive, brands must embrace new technologies that reduce environmental impact while maintaining product performance and scalability.
Impressions of Cirql and the ISPO BrandNew Award
What particularly impresses me about Cirql is not just their innovation but their commitment to transparency and verifiability. Achieving GRS certification for their Vietnam factory signals a company-wide dedication to ethical and sustainable practices. Winning the ISPO BrandNew Award in the Sustainability category cements Cirql’s place as a leader and trailblazer.
As an industry observer and advocate for progress, I’m inspired by how Cirql is using cutting-edge technology to tackle real-world challenges. Their ability to produce biodegradable midsoles at scale without sacrificing performance is a testament to what the industry can achieve when innovation meets purpose.
What Sets Cirql Zero™ Apart?
Cirql Zero™ represents a major leap forward in sustainable materials innovation. Unlike traditional midsole foams that contribute to landfill waste, Cirql Zero™ is industrially compostable, meeting rigorous degradation standards:
- 90% degradation in 180 days in industrial composting facilities.
- Fully biodegradable, ensuring a closed-loop lifecycle that minimizes environmental impact.
Its manufacturing adaptability is equally impressive. Designed to integrate seamlessly into existing production processes, Cirql Zero™ employs supercritical foaming (SCF) technology in an autoclave process, making it accessible to manufacturers worldwide. With scalability to produce hundreds of millions of pairs annually, it offers footwear brands the opportunity to implement sustainable practices at an unprecedented scale.
Top 5 Benefits of Cirql Zero™ for a Sustainable Future
- Industrial Compostability: Eliminates landfill waste by degrading naturally in controlled environments.
- Manufacturing Flexibility: Easily integrates with existing global production systems.
- Scalable Innovation: Meets the demands of mass production without compromising sustainability goals.
- Trackable and Verifiable Claims: Transparency ensures adherence to environmental certifications like GRS (Global Recycled Standard).
- Supports Brand Climate Goals: Helps footwear companies align with their sustainability commitments.
A Vision for a Greener Future
Cirql Zero™ is part of Cirql’s broader mission to reduce the environmental footprint of footwear manufacturing. By focusing on innovative material solutions, the company aims to prevent shoes from ending up in landfills. The Cirql factory in Vietnam has already achieved GRS certification, demonstrating its commitment to sustainable and ethical practices.
Why This Matters to Footwear Professionals
The success of Cirql Zero™ is a clear signal that the industry must prioritize sustainable innovation. Brands can no longer afford to ignore the environmental implications of their materials and processes. Cirql Zero™ offers an immediate, scalable solution to meet these challenges head-on, paving the way for a circular economy in footwear.
As sustainability continues to shape the future of fashion, Cirql Zero™ sets a compelling example of what is possible when innovation and responsibility intersect.
Cirql Zero™ is more than a product—it’s a symbol of how far the industry has come and where it’s headed. By integrating sustainable practices with technological advancement, Cirql is paving the way for a future where footwear not only performs better but leaves a lighter environmental footprint. I look forward to seeing how this technology inspires other brands to push boundaries and prioritize sustainability in their innovations.
For more information about Cirql Zero™ and its groundbreaking initiatives, visit ortholite.com/cirql.
About the Author:
Joseph DeAcetis is a visionary force in the world of fashion, celebrated as one of the finest wardrobe stylists and art directors of his generation. His expertise and creativity have earned him accolades throughout the industry, placing him at the forefront of fashion’s evolution. Joseph’s work seamlessly weaves together style, culture, art, and fashion, with a special focus on the shifting landscape of menswear.
Over the course of his distinguished career, Joseph has had the privilege of styling and even interviewing global icons such as Elon Musk, Justin Bieber, Richard Branson, Katy Perry, Tom Brady, and A$AP Rocky, to name just a few. His influence extends beyond styling, as he has also been a prolific writer, contributing award-winning columns to esteemed publications like Esquire, People Magazine, Robb Report, and Playboy. His deep insights and captivating storytelling have established him as a leading voice in fashion journalism.
Joseph most recently served as Creative Fashion Director at Forbes Media, where his dual role as critic and reporter allowed him to explore the intersection of technology and fashion, always championing the transformative power of style. As the founder and president of POTRO, the premier Latinx menswear brand, Joseph is redefining modern menswear with a commitment to celebrating Latinx heritage and craftsmanship.
With an authoritative yet relatable voice, Joseph DeAcetis continues to inspire and influence the world of fashion, setting new standards for success and innovation.
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