Salomon is proud to present the INDEX.03, the new version of the INDEX recyclable road running shoe. Arriving at retailers starting this spring, the INDEX.03 takes its sustainable mission and performance very seriously, with a revamped midsole and upper to improve comfort. Salomon is pleased to be the only brand producing a completely recyclable shoe on the market. The INDEX.03 will be available on Salomon.com and at selected retailers at the recommended price of €150.
Salomon Index.03: fully recyclable performance
To recycle the INDEX.03 for free, consumers can simply scan the QR code on the shoe’s tongue to register the product, request a shipping label online and return the shoes to Salomon.
From the INDEX.02 to the new INDEX.03, several improvements have been made, including the use of a lighter material for the midsole, 100% recycled polyester for the tongue and a more efficient separation process for the parts of the upper, which allowed us to go from 40% of wasted material to just 26%. The basic concept remains: a fully recyclable shoe made with two key components: TPU for the lower part under the characteristic red line and polyester for the upper part. This thoughtful design facilitates “disassembly” at the end of the shoe’s life cycle, promoting sustainability through a circular approach. The shoe is disassembled, the TPU is recycled to make ski boots, and the polyester is reused to make fabric.
COMFORT FOR AN ACCESSIBLE AND RECYCLABLE RUN
To improve the performance of the INDEX.03, the shoe uses a lighter, re-engineered foam, maintaining the same geometry but with a superior compound. The reduction in density and greater flexibility of the foam results in a softer and lighter shoe: the INDEX.03 weighs just 249 grams, compared to the 263 grams of the INDEX.02.
Continuing the circular structure of the INDEX.02, the upper construction has undergone a significant transformation on the INDEX.03. The new upper uses undyed materials and is now made up of five different components to improve separation efficiency in the
recycling process.
“Thanks to the new upper construction, we have reduced waste material waste during the manufacturing process from 40% to 26%. We went from a cutting efficiency of 60% to 74%,” explains Olivier Mouzin, Sustainability Program Manager at Salomon Footwear. “We have therefore reduced our material consumption by around 14%. By changing the structure of the upper, the number of stitching also changed, so we needed to make sure that the consumer would not feel them when walking or running and that they would not affect the aesthetics or price of the shoe.”
INDEX.03 also proposes a price adjustment. The shoe is now available at a more accessible price of 150 euros. This strategic adaptation aims to make eco-friendly shoes more accessible to a wider audience.
“The first version of the INDEX has been on the market for four years and we have had the opportunity to collect feedback from consumers who use the shoe both for running and for everyday life,” explains Gatien Airiau, Product Line Manager of Salomon Road Running Footwear. “Revising the foam and improving the upper have allowed us to create a more comfortable shoe that uses fewer materials and is available at a lower price than the previous version, while being fully recyclable.”
Small details highlight the idea of recyclability, with marked separation areas, a prominent QR code on the tongue and a red pattern indicating where fabrics are separated during the recycling process. The clean and elegant design also accentuates the style and aesthetics of the shoe, underlining how sustainability does not come at the expense of style.
HOW TO RECYCLE INDEX.03
If your INDEX shoe has been used to the point where you’re ready to return it, simply scan the QR code on the shoe’s tongue to register your pair, print a shipping label, and drop it off for free at the post office or shipping center. nearest shipping. To minimize the impact of transportation, the shoes will be received from collection centers in Europe, North America and Asia/Pacific. There they will be washed and disassembled before sending the materials to the local recycling facility.
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