The Hindu Business Line : Disposable footwear from paper pulp

FOR a person who has designed industrial products and machines, medical equipment and electronic devices, this was virtually a return to the grassroots. Satish Gokhale, Director of Pune-based Design Directions, which recently won a Business Week-IDEA award for Solemates, disposable footwear, says, "it was the pull of designing something that is basic to our needs, that touches our senses and greets us everyday; and using materials that are like us - perishable, part of the environment, and very `social,' without chrome and stainless steel, without plastics and glass."

Solemates is made from recycled newsprint and any other non-laminated paper pulp. According to Design Directions, it is completely biodegradable. The colour is natural and no bleaching agents/chemicals have been used. Also, Indian tradition requires guests to remove their shoes when they go visiting. "We feel queasy about walking barefoot on a dirty floor, and don't like other people's slippers. Many industry plant visits require removing footwear and wear sweaty slippers worn by so many others," says Gokhale, adding that this product is ideal for visitors coming to industries, hotels, hospitals and homes.

It took Gokhale three years to perfect the design. The product had to be lightweight and have good anti-skid grip for use on smooth flooring of marble or ceramic tiles. It had to flex while walking as well. This is a one-time use product though it does last for two to three days and is not to be used on wet surfaces.

Gokhale has had many enquires from India and abroad. "We would ideally like to license the design and let that company/companies manufacture and market the product. It will have to be institutional sales where there will be volumes," he says. The price could range between Rs 12 and Rs 15.

Solemates won the award in the consumer products category. There were more than 1,300 entries submitted across a number of categories, including business and industrial products, computer equipment, furniture, environment, medical and scientific equipment, packaging and graphics and transportation.

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Disposable footwear from paper pulp