New York design lab uses new tech platform to create 100% PHA shoes

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In New York, design lab OXMAN has unveiled O°, a biomaterial, digital, and robotic technology platform that powers the production of biobased textiles and wearables that are 100% biodegradable when disposed of, made entirely with organic material and without petrochemicals or glues, and producing no microplastics.

The first product to be created using O° platform is a collection of shoes made entirely of polyhydroxyalkanoates bioplastics.  Each shoe features novel combinations of computationally-designed 3D-printed PHA uppers, 3D knit textiles from PHA-based yarn, and biomanufactured pigments.

“PHAs have long been recognized as a promising alternative to petroleum-based plastics,” said Neri Oxman, CEO and Founder of OXMAN, in a press statement. “We have successfully elevated the potential of PHA through the development of O°, a new technology for the design and fabrication of products that seeks to minimize harm in its conception and nourish the environment in its afterlife. We are thrilled to unveil our first product using this new technology: the O° shoe, which is made using 100% PHA, is 100% biodegradable, and has no petrochemicals or microplastics.”