Step Zero receives first order from Hanwag
Flawil/Vierkirchen - Step Zero’s first customer is Hanwag. The Bavarian manufacturer of hiking and mountaineering shoes has ordered pellets from the St.Gallen specialist for biodegradable alternatives to plastics for the shoe industry. The pellets will be used for a model of Hanwag's next fall/winter collection.
(CONNECT) Step Zero from Flawil in the canton of St.Gallen has received its first official order, as was reported in a statement from the company: Hanwag, the Bavarian manufacturer of hiking and mountaineering shoes, has ordered biodegradable pellets. These will become part of a new Hanwag shoe launching in their fall/winter 2025/2026 collection.
According to Step Zero, this will mark “the first time our material will be out in the world, on real shelves, worn by real adventurers”. What reportedly started as a bold idea “to create high-performance materials that nature can reclaim – has now become a product chosen by one of the most respected names in the industry”.
Step Zero is a startup born from the century-old legacy of Flawa. It was a management buyout in 2023 that preserved its expertise in the development of sustainable materials and insoles, leading to the creation of Step Zero, the company writes. Today, the 15-member team in Flawil focuses on developing sustainable shoe components for global markets.
The company’s mission is to replace synthetic fossil materials, including recycled ones, with high-quality biodegradable alternatives to eliminate microplastics caused by abrasion. In addition to pellets, Step Zero also produces biodegradable outsoles and ski boot liners. While the startup is focusing on the footwear industry, there are reportedly many other potential applications, such as scooter wheels, seat cushioning, baby bedding, pet mattresses, helmets and saddles. ce/mm