Forget polluting materials and oil-based resources, Swiss sports brand On presents a pair of running shoes made from carbon emissions. This is achieved thanks to a combination of several state-of-the-art technologies in the biochemistry and materials sectors.

Carbon emissions have been rising steadily for several years and are partly responsible for global warming, hence the need to reduce them on a global scale. But they could also be transformed into raw materials for making new everyday products. This surprising idea is being put into practice by Swiss sports brand On, and is now taking shape with the launch of the first pair of running shoes made from carbon emissions.

Called “Cloudprime,” this first shoe is, in fact, only partially made from carbon emissions. Still, it’s a promising first step that could pave the way for an entire industry. To achieve this innovation, On partnered with three leading technology companies, LanzaTech, Borealis and Technip Energies, to capture carbon monoxide emitted by industrial sources. This is then fermented, converted to ethanol, and then dehydrated to create ethylene. The last step is polymerization to create the final material, EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) foam, which is used in the midsole of the shoe.