Mount to Coast and BASF redefine performance footwear with sustainable innovation in new partnership.
In the fast-paced world of ultrarunning, innovation often defines the gap between a finish line and a breakthrough. Mount to Coast, the Hong Kong-based brand revered for its high-performance footwear, has joined forces with BASF to debut CircleCell, a midsole designed to push boundaries in both sustainability and athletic performance. At the heart of this partnership lies a shared vision: to redefine the future of running gear without compromising on environmental responsibility.
Crafted from BASF’s ecoflex BMB, CircleCell introduces a biopolymer that replaces traditional fossil-based materials with renewable feedstock. According to BASF’s testing, this new midsole is 90 percent more durable than conventional counterparts while maintaining the energy return athletes demand. For ultrarunners who rely on precision engineering underfoot, this innovation promises a revolution.
The science behind CircleCell
What sets CircleCell apart is its foundation in the biomass-balanced ecoflex BMB technology. Unlike standard production processes, ecoflex BMB integrates renewable feedstocks derived from organic waste and residual biomass at the very start of its manufacturing cycle. Through a third-party-certified mass balance approach, the ecoflex grade ensures sustainable inputs are precisely allocated to the final product, meeting stringent REDcert2 and ISCC PLUS standards.
This advanced process results in a material that not only matches but surpasses traditional midsoles in density and rebound. “We are committed to creating shoes through sustainable materials and innovative processes without compromising the specific performance needs of ultrarunners,” Yeti Zhang, head of product at Mount to Coast, said in a statement. “BASF has been a crucial partner in supporting our product development team as we search for ways to balance durability and sustainability. Their creativity in introducing mature technology from one industry into a new space, like the footwear industry, is inspiring and aligns with our goals to offer the running community new performance solutions.”
BASF’s legacy in biopolymers
While CircleCell marks a breakthrough in the footwear industry, BASF has been innovating with ecoflex for decades. The biopolymer, trusted across diverse industries for its quality and performance, is now carving a new path in sportswear. Marcel Philipp Barth, BASF’s head of global business management for biopolymers, reflected on the milestone:
“Since 1998, when ecoflex was introduced on the plastics market, customers in many different industries have come to know and trust it for its consistently high quality, performance and the sustainability benefits it brings to their products. So we are excited to bring BASF know-how on circularity and renewable resources to new application fields, to inspire customers to think of new applications made of our biopolymers. We are looking forward to further exploring this path with Mount to Coast in the footwear industry.”
In January, BASF and Inditex announced a collaboration to enhance textile recyclability. They introduced loopamid, a polyamide 6 (nylon 6) made entirely from textile waste, marking a significant advancement in sustainable fashion. Zara, an Inditex brand, launched a jacket composed entirely of loopamid, including fabrics, buttons, filling, and zippers, demonstrating the material’s versatility.
BASF’s application support and deep expertise in biopolymers ensure companies like Inditex and Mount to Coast can develop materials that are not only innovative but also commercially scalable. From durability to comfort, ecoflex BMB fits seamlessly into the company’s vision of sustainable footwear solutions.
Mount to Coast’s adoption of BASF’s biomass balance approach underscores the footwear industry’s growing focus on environmental accountability. By replacing fossil feedstocks with renewable resources early in the production cycle, the approach guarantees a transparent, certified chain of custody for sustainable inputs. Every ecoflex BMB product undergoes third-party certification to ensure compliance with REDcert2 and ISCC PLUS requirements.
This method isn’t just about meeting sustainability targets — it also delivers tangible benefits for performance-focused applications. For CircleCell, the resulting material offers ultrarunners a reliable blend of lightness, rebound, and durability, critical for athletes who need their gear to keep pace with their ambitions.
With CircleCell as the starting point, Mount to Coast and BASF are exploring broader applications for biopolymers in footwear design. Mount to Coast’s strategic partnership with BASF reflects a broader shift in the industry, where sustainability is no longer an afterthought but an integral part of innovation. “We are excited to continue working with a world-renowned company advancing biopolymers,” Zhang said.
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