Enhancing Shoe Sole Foaming Performance with Mitsui Chemicals’ Tafmer POE — Amax Chemical Technical Insights

Foamed midsoles and outsoles are the foundation of comfort and performance in today’s footwear. Yet behind every lightweight, responsive step lies a complex balance of material science and process control. At Amax Chemical, we work closely with global partners like Mitsui Chemicals to help footwear manufacturers enhance their foaming systems. In this blog, we explore how Tafmer POE — a high-performance polyolefin elastomer — can be used to optimize EVA-based shoe sole formulations for better cushioning, rebound, and dimensional stability.

Sports Shoe Sole Enhanced with Tafmer POE Foam

Performance Challenges of Shoe Sole Foaming Materials

Midsoles and outsoles of sports and casual shoes demand strict requirements from foaming materials:

        •  Balanced cushioning and support

        •  High elasticity and rebound performance

        •  Dimensional stability with minimal collapse

        •  Compatibility with compression and injection foaming processes

        •  Good compatibility with EVA and PE to ensure uniform foaming

Against this backdrop, Mitsui Chemicals’ Tafmer Polyolefin Elastomer (POE), characterized by low density, high flexibility, and narrow molecular weight distribution, has become a preferred modifier for EVA foaming systems.

How Tafmer POE Meets These Requirements

Amax Chemical offers multiple Tafmer POE grades tailored for different foaming performance needs:

Grade	Density (g/cm³)	MFR(230°C, g/10min)	Features
DF605	0.861	0.9	Ultra-soft, Highly flexible, Ideal for cushioning layers
DF610	0.862	2.2	Balanced elasticity and rebound Versatile applications
DF810	0.885	2.2	Higher strength and support Suitable for outsole foaming

Note: Tafmer’s narrow molecular weight distribution promotes melt flow and uniform cell structure control.

Recommended Formulations and Typical Processing

Standard Shoe Sole Foaming Formula (for casual and children’s shoes):

        •  EVA: 50%

        •  LDPE: 30%

        •  Tafmer POE (DF605/DF610): 10%

        •  Foaming agent + additives: 10%

High-Rebound Sports Shoe Formula (for running and basketball shoes):

        •  EVA: 60–65%

        •  Tafmer DF810: 15–20%

        •  DCP (diisopropylbenzene peroxide): 1.5–2% (crosslinking agent)

        •  AC foaming agent (azodicarbonamide): 2%

        •  Zinc oxide, stearic acid, and other auxiliaries: appropriate amounts

*Note: DCP is an organic peroxide that generates free radicals upon heating to promote crosslinking. AC foaming agent decomposes at high temperature to release gas for cell formation.

Recommended Processing: Compression and injection foaming. Tafmer effectively improves cell uniformity and dimensional stability.

Customer Case: DF810 Performance in ANTA Sports Shoes

Tafmer POE Resin

A major shoe material compounder supplying ANTA adopted an EVA + DF810 modified system with AC foaming and crosslinking agents, achieving:

        • Compression set (C-set) reduced by over 20% (per ASTM D395)

        • Molded part dimensional accuracy improved by 15%

        • Long-term rebound performance superior to traditional EVA systems

“Tafmer DF810 has significantly enhanced our product competitiveness.” — Engineering Manager, ANTA Partner

Competitor Comparison: Tafmer vs. TPU / Traditional EVA

Performance Aspect	Tafmer POE	TPU	EVA
Density	Lower (~0.86–0.89)	Higher (≥1.1)	Medium (~0.94)
Foaming Processing Window	Wider, More adaptable	Narrow, Temperature sensitive	Moderate
Rebound/ Cushioning	Excellent	Excellent	Moderate
Price Stability	Relatively stable	Volatile	Moderate
Compatibility with EVA	Very good	Moderate	(self)

Why Choose Amax Chemical?

In the footwear foaming material field, we are more than just a supplier — we are your formulation partner:

     •  24-hour response: Fast sample delivery and technical support

     • One-stop solution: Complete systems including EVA, LDPE, Tafmer, and foaming agents

     • Rich technical resources: TDS, MSDS, recommended formulations, and testing support available

     • Stable supply chain: Long-term partnership with Mitsui Chemicals ensures reliable quality and supply

If you are looking for softer, more elastic, and lighter foaming solutions, contact us at:

contact@amaxchemical.com

We are committed to providing solid support and comfortable experience for every shoe sole you make.