Arkema says it supplies the materials for the VivoBiome Tabi Gen 02 sandal, which Vivobarefoot makes with Carbon's printing platform. The announcement puts a spotlight on the long-running Arkema and Carbon partnership. It comes as resin prices stay high and recycling gains weight in polymer additive manufacturing.
What Arkema announced
Arkema, the multinational chemicals group, has stated that it supplies the materials used in the VivoBiome Tabi Gen 02 sandal. Vivobarefoot sells through direct-to-consumer and traditional retail channels and agreed earlier this year to work with Carbon on the product. The sandal belongs to the on-demand, scan-to-print footwear segment.
Why circularity and resin prices matter
Arkema has been active in AM for more than ten years, and its approach to 3D printing centres on circular economics, in line with its parent group's goal of reducing its environmental impact. Plastic resin prices remain high and supply is less certain, which makes polymer recycling more important even without sustainability arguments. The source warns that rising prices could slow consumer demand growth.
Carbon's foam replacement logic
Arkema's elastomeric resins fit one of three pillars of Carbon's business, according to CEO Phil DeSimone: replacing legacy foam production with AM. Carbon did not set out to print bike saddles, for example, but looked for foam applications where AM could substitute. That model relies on a materials partner able to supply at scale.
What it means
For manufacturers adopting polymer AM, the story points to materials supply as a cost driver alongside machine choice. Where resin comes from a single qualified source, price swings pass straight into cost per part and can weaken a business case built on consumer volumes. Recycling and long-term supplier agreements deserve a place in the calculation. This continues the earlier story on the extended Arkema and Carbon resin partnership.
Frequently asked questions
What does Arkema supply for the Tabi Gen 02?
Arkema says it provides the materials used for Vivobarefoot's VivoBiome Tabi Gen 02 sandal, made with Carbon. The source describes them as elastomeric resins in Carbon's foam replacement pillar.
Why do resin prices matter here?
Plastic resin prices remain elevated and supply is less certain. The source argues this makes recycling more important and could stall consumer demand growth if prices keep rising.