Zotefoams
The Secret Ingredient of Supershoes
Zotefoams is an advanced materials business, from Croydon in South London, that created a unique foam called Zotek using its nitrogen-expansion process. Better known in Nike shoes as ZoomX, the material has transformed running shoes, including the world record-breaking Alphafly supershoes. Zotefoams was founded in 1921 and has grown to become a leader in the production of lightweight, high-performance foam materials. The company uses a unique nitrogen expansion process to create its foams, which are known for their consistency, quality, and purity.
In a quiet corner of south London is the home of the bouncy foam that revolutionised distance running, and the material scientists in white coats who not only created this incredible stuff but are working on new foams that may yet allow Eliud Kipchoge and his main rivals in the marathon to go faster still.
The genesis of the super shoes that have enabled male and female athletes to smash world records on the road and track these past few years amounts to an extraordinary story. A tale of how this century-old British firm, founded by a man who had been mentored in the United States by Thomas Edison, happened almost by chance to develop a foam that transformed a multibillion-pound industry as well as a sport.
Zotefoams plc is recognised as the world leader in advanced technical foams. The company is the direct descendant of Onazote Limited, the company that was founded in 1921 and commercialised the world’s first hard and soft expanded rubber.
Inspired by the work of three Austrian brothers, Hans, Fritz, and Herman Pfleumer, who had conceived the original concept of filling tyres with some form of expanded lightweight material, rather than air, Charles Marshall, patented a process to manufacture expanded rubbers of all kinds – hard and soft.
Although the concept of the puncture-proof automotive tyre was ultimately unsuccessful, experimentation highlighted the potential of this novel material for a multitude of applications. Marshall registered the trademark Onazote in Great Britain and the USA; the name is believed to derive from the words ebonite –hardened rubber – and azote, the French word for nitrogen.
The business name changed to Expanded Rubber Company Limited, with Onazote remaining in use as a product name for decades to follow. It also saw the first recorded use of Onazote for refrigeration; the letter is from Charles Marshall to T Wall and Sons, who were developing their ice cream business Today, Zotefoams’ T-FIT technical insulation is used extensively in ice cream manufacturing businesses globally to reduce condensation.
Key Products and Services
Zotefoams offers a range of foam products under various brand names:
- AZOTE®: Polyolefin foams used in a variety of applications.
- ZOTEK®: High-performance foams for demanding environments.
- T-FIT®: Advanced insulation solutions for industrial markets.
- MuCell®: Microcellular foam technology for extrusion applications.
These products serve diverse markets, including automotive, aviation, biotechnology, construction, healthcare, and sports.
Strategy for Success
Zotefoams’ strategy focuses on innovation, quality, and sustainability. The company leverages its unique manufacturing process to produce superior foam materials and continuously invests in research and development to stay ahead in the market. Sustainability is also a key focus, with efforts to minimize environmental impact through efficient manufacturing processes.
Partnership with Nike
In 2017, Zotefoams entered into a strategic partnership with Nike to develop and supply high-performance foam materials for Nike’s footwear. This partnership allows Zotefoams to work exclusively with Nike in the footwear industry, creating foams tailored to specific performance needs. The collaboration has led to innovations in athletic footwear, including materials used in distance running shoes and track spikes.
This partnership exemplifies Zotefoams’ commitment to innovation and quality, helping both companies achieve their goals in the competitive sports market.