Hot melt adhesive web — the invisible force that brings lightness, strength, and sustainability to footwear

Hot melt adhesive web — the invisible force that brings lightness, strength, and sustainability to footwear

Hot melt adhesive web is widely used in shoe material manufacturing, gradually replacing traditional glue (such as solvent-based glue) due to its characteristics of high efficiency bonding, environmental protection and easy process.

The following is a detailed introduction of the combination of Hot melt adhesive web and shoe materials.

Application Area

Hot melt adhesive web is widely used in footwear material manufacturing, covering bonding and laminating processes for almost all components, from uppers and insoles to outsoles.

Below are its specific application scenarios and corresponding advantages in footwear materials:

1. Upper bonding: Laminating materials such as mesh, leather, microfibre, TPU film, waterproof and breathable membranes (e.g. GORE-TEX), etc., to form lightweight and functional uppers.

2. Midsole bonding: 

-Midsole and upper: bonded by hot melt mesh film (EVA or PO type), replacing traditional glue.

- Multi-layer composite of midsole: e.g. lamination with cushioning materials.

3. Insole fit: 

- Lamination of insole top layer cloth with bottom layer EVA/PU foam.

- Fixing of antimicrobial layer, cushioning gel pad.

Typical Application

-Sports shoes

-causal shoes

Commen adhesive web types

- PA (co-polyamide): high temperature resistance (~150 ℃), good flexibility, suitable for leather, nylon and other high-demand bonding

- PES (co-polyester): hydrolysis-resistant, washing-resistant, suitable for sweaty and wet environments in sports shoes.

- TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane): good elasticity, low temperature resistance, suitable for elastic footwear or outdoor shoes.

Advantages

As an environmentally friendly adhesive material, hot-melt adhesive web is increasingly widely used in the manufacture of footwear materials, and its advantages are mainly reflected in the following aspects：

1. Environmentally friendly: Traditional glues often contain organic solvents (e.g. benzene, formaldehyde), whereas hot-melt mesh films are bonded by heating and melting without solvents, avoiding the release of harmful gases.

2. Efficiency: Eliminate the traditional glue painting, drying and other steps, directly through the hot pressure (such as hot press, high-frequency machine) to complete the bonding, improve efficiency.

3. Slim and light: The thickness of the mesh film is usually 0.05~0.2mm, no glue marks after bonding, keeping the upper flat and beautiful, suitable for high-end sports shoes and casual shoes.

4. Flexible breathable: The hot-melt adhesive web is breathable and avoids the problem of stiffness of the shoe material caused by the hardening of traditional glue, and enhances wearing comfort.

With its environmental protection, high efficiency and performance advantages, hot melt mesh film is gradually replacing the traditional adhesive process and becoming an important solution in shoe manufacturing.

From JCC Tianyang group--Expert and leading hot melt adhesive solution supplier

2026.1.23