Materials - UNCRUDE

Plant-based and Plastic free

Most footwear soles today are built to last far beyond their use—but at what cost? Made from petroleum-derived plastics like EVA, TPU, and synthetic rubber, they leave behind more than just footprints. They shed microplastics with every step, release harmful emissions during production, leach toxins into soil and waterways, and take centuries to break down.

Footwear is one of fashion's most plastic-intensive categories, with over 24 billion pairs produced annually most of which are destined for landfills after use. While in use too, it is the 7th largest source of microplastic pollution. At A BLUNT STORY, we knew the problem wasn't just with the volume—it was with the very materials beneath our feet.

Our proprietary soles UNCRUDE® look to change that. Made from carbon sequestering renewable plant-based materials they are free from petroleum derived plastics, resins and synthetic rubbers they are far less carbon intensive. With clean chemistry at its core, UNCRUDE® eliminates harmful toxins, ensuring safety for makers and the environment. Designed to integrate into existing production systems, they look to address the problems with urgency.

Take a look at the inside story

The Outsole

Our outsole, which makes up the base of the footwear, addresses the microplastic pollution head on by phasing out plastics from the ground up. Petroleum based resins and synthetic rubbers are replaced with is renewable plant-based materials and oils and incorporates novel regenerative materials like agricultural waste to use.

By replacing crude-oil derived materials with regenerative inputs, we're able to more than halve the carbon emissions typically associated with conventional outsoles. At the same time, the use of agricultural waste creates value for farmers and diverts waste from incineration.

Made with ~70% bio-based content, the UNCRUDE® outsole is entirely plastic-free

Tested in-house the UNCRUDE outsole performs at par with industry variants for flexibility, durability without any of the damage to the planet and the makers.

With material circularity planned from the material development stage they are also recyclable.

It's a deliberate break from a plastic-dependent past—a step towards circular, scalable, regenerative design.

The Midsole

The midsole is where comfort lives—but it's also where hidden harm often begins.

Typically made from petroleum-based EVA and TPU foams, that not only contain forever chemicals, they are also known to release nitrosamines -carcinogens commonplace in foamed plastics.

Their lightweight structure makes them especially prone to microplastic shedding through everyday wear. And like most plastics, they present a major end-of-life challenge, often ending up waste streams where they breakdown slowly over centuries and leach toxins.

The UNCRUDE® footbed is built differently. Made with ~94% plant-based content, it blends carbon sequestering regenerative materials like cork and renewable plant-based oils and materials without relying on plastics or hazardous chemistry. All raw materials are sourced from trusted, certified suppliers committed to protecting ecosystems and supporting responsible forest management.

With chemistry that cares as much for the planet as it does the makers and wearers they are tested to be 100% nitrosamine free. With up to 70% lower estimated carbon emissions than PU or EVA midsoles, the UNCRUDE® footbed has significantly lowered its impact. And like the outsole, it's recyclable by design, helping close the loop where few materials ever have.

UNCRUDE® was built to do less harm. No plastics. No toxic shortcuts. Just bio-based, circular design—made to fit the systems we have, and challenge the ones we should.

It’s time we re-write the story. It’s time we UNCRUDE®.

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