June 16, 2019 Rapid[a] Recycling
Known for first class outdoor footwear and its bold environmental and social responsibility projects, traditional Italian shoe manufacturer AKU lives up to its reputation with the all new AKU Rapida Air multi-terrain shoe.
When nature is calling, AKU is listening. Not only has the Italian footwear specialist already concentrated 85 percent of its production in company-owned facilities in Italy, Romania and Serbia and thereby reduced the environmental impact caused by the transport of goods, they also created an EPD report last year. The unique-to-the-industry analysis of the environmental impact of AKU’s premium model Bellamont Plus during its complete life cycle was made to find out where to improve production. The report’s results show the biggest impact in shoe manufacturing comes from the raw materials, which basically leaves two options to reduce it in the future:
“The first is to use very durable materials so that the impact can be distributed over several years. The other option is to select materials that are recycled efficiently. This is realized for example in AKU’s all new Rapida Air,” explains Giulio Piccin, AKU’s Product and CSR Manager.
Don’t wait for the weekend
Applying the conclusions to the core subject – shoe manufacturing – you receive a more responsible, light and breathable multi-terrain shoe for easy traveling and leisure time activities in nature. Rapida Air uses a knitted textile upper that is partially recycled and protected through a 100 percent recycled toe cap and heel counter. To reduce the shoe’s environmental footprint even further, the Ortholite® Hybrid footbed is additionally made of up to 40 percent recycled materials. Following AKU’s motto “Don’t wait for the weekend,” the Rapida Air encourages people to go out and enjoy nature while simultaneously caring for it.
