Reverse logistics, biomaterials, and circular economy. All these concepts are integrated into the heel counter. AFIX Artedur ECO, an innovation that has brought significant transformation to the safety footwear sector. This structuring product, developed by Artecola Química specifically for this market, it is recycled and recyclable, uses waste from other industries as raw material, includes biomass in its composition, and all its waste is reincorporated into the production process to manufacture new batches. Thanks to this, in 2024 the disposal of approximately 50 tons. All these features were recognized with the Lançamentos/FIMEC 2025 Award in the category Sustentability, presented on the first day of the fair.
In addition to its environmental contribution, the new heel counter Artedur ECO offers high performance, ensuring better shoe shape and greater user comfort. The combination of sustainability, savings, and performance led the safety footwear sector to switch to this material after decades of using impregnated heel counters — which were not recyclable and lost their structural function in just 45 days. With the change, excess cuttings from the impregnated materials, which had to be sent to controlled landfills, were also eliminated. In contrast, all cuttings from the Artedur ECO are reused, which represented approximately 50 tons reused in 2024. The calculation takes into account the market share achieved by Artecola, which reached over 60% of the sector’s annual production of 41 million pairs of shoes (Abicalçados/2023).
The Chief Executive Officer of Artecola Química, Eduardo Kunst, emphasized that the Artedur ECO is a perfect example of the innovation and sustainability promoted by the company:
“We are committed to leading sustainable transformation in the sectors where we operate, developing products that make this change possible. This new heel counter allowed nearly the entire segment to migrate to a far superior material in terms of performance, with unmatched advantages regarding ESG. We generate benefits in the aspects of Environmental, Social, and Governance”, subrayó.
In the context of international debates on the future of sustainability following decisions by the Trump administration in the United States, Artecola publicly reaffirms its commitment.
“We approach sustainability out of conviction. Since our origins in 1948, Mr. Xavier always had the great concern of not focusing solely on economic results,” recalled Eduardo, referring to the company’s founder, Francisco Xavier Kunst“The social and environmental impact of a company are essential issues to ensure living conditions for both the current generation and future ones. That conviction at Artecola does not change. I regret the setback we are seeing, because we are already paying a very high price for not addressing environmental and social issues in a more structured way.”
The commitment is also renewed in the company’s participation in FIMEC, the international footwear supply chain fair taking place until this Thursday (03/20) in Novo Hamburgo (RS), in the pavilions of FENACThe entire Artecola booth — located in Pavilion 4, between aisles F and S — is set up with the brand’s sustainable products. In addition to the adhesive lines, the laminates — used in heel counters and reinforcements that provide shape and structure to footwear in general — feature multiple sustainable options. Among them, the technology stands out Ecofiber, one of the most recognized, made with 100% recyclable biomaterials. In just the last three years, this line has allowed the recycling of 2.300 toneladas de fibras, which were by-products from other industries, giving them a new purpose instead of becoming waste.
Artecola is a company Carbon neutralcarbon neutral, recognized with the Diamond seal, (the highest category of the program Origem Sustentável, from Abicalçados and Assintecal). With 76 years of experience, has three business areas — Industry, Retail, and Extrusion — in addition to plants in Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Mexico, and Peru. It produces sustainable adhesive solutions and thermoformable sheets for industrial, professional, and domestic use, being present in multiple sectors: footwear, furniture, automotive, packaging, graphic, construction, and agribusiness. Today, it operates in 18 countries and generates approximately 700 direct jobs.
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