The Perfect Fit

No one at ECCO thought Dow would provide the answer to one of its most complex challenges: how to build durable, high-performing customized shoes at scale. When we introduced them to liquid silicone rubber, they started to think again.

Patrizio Carlucci is constantly in search of new materials and processes that will result in better fitting, higher performing shoes. When ECCO partnered with Dow to research the feasibility of using liquid silicone rubber in 3D printing, Patrizio saw an opportunity to do something never done before: create “a product that perfectly fits every wearer.”

Dr. Hans Peter Wolf

R&D Manager, Dow Consumer Solutions

Dr. Hans Peter Wolf spends his days searching for new applications for silicone, “a fantastic material with nearly endless availability.” After Dow teamed with ECCO to explore liquid silicone rubber in 3D printing, Hans Peter recognized that the collaboration itself was an engine for innovation, with two partners working side by side to transform an industry.

Nathalie Gerard

Market Manager, Dow Consumer Solutions

During Dow’s collaboration with ECCO, Nathalie Gerard recognized a benefit that goes beyond superior shoe comfort: sustainability. Not only is liquid silicone rubber durable and long-lasting, the customized fit it provides means that wearers are likely to keep their shoes for longer, helping to cut down on waste and needless consumption.

A new dimension in partnership

ECCO and Dow combined two revolutionary technologies to disrupt a category largely set in its ways. Through our partnership, we’ve unlocked the potential of using liquid silicone rubber in 3D printing, making it possible for people to enjoy fully customized midsoles in the space of an hour.