• Sujit Kumar Basu
• Meghna Gupta

Abstract Manufacturing footwear is a multi-process task where a variety of operations are conducted sequentially to manufacture full footwear. At the time, shoes were made of bits of leather and other synthetic materials that were cut and sewn together, known as "upper," and then applied to a hard sole. Much is still done by hand, given the use of machinery, with skilled workers required to bring the shoes together. The demand for leather shoes is also declining considerably due to environmental consciousness, resulting in a corresponding rise in demand for textile- shoes. Especially in the case of athletic footwear, the use of knit technology in upper making could transform the entire traditional shoemaking process. Athletic Footwear (Sport Shoes) accounts for about 36 per cent of all sales of footwear worldwide. A one-piece 3D upper is created by a CNC knitting machine, and then assembled with tongue, lining materials and reinforcements. The woven upper made from mainly recycled PET, creating a lightweight athletic shoe with a snug fit. It also uses an automated production process that reduces waste by weaving only what is required, rather than the conventional cutting and stitching system. The machines "knead" fibreglass fibres which could then be combined with a solvent to harden into a mould designed to match the foot of an person. The upper portion can be designed to interact with the foot anatomy; the fibres behave like tendons and enhance foot movement. Shoe uppers can be made in a single knitted layer with all the functionalities needed and appropriate. A tighter weave can be built to provide more arch support to the foot by changing the knit density in different areas and a thinner, breathable weave to provide more air flow. The possibilities are endless, since everything that can be made into a yarn: oil, wool, kevlar, even gold and stainless steel. The goods can be finished in one place from start to finish. Shoe knitting is an independent process, like 3D printing, which saves time, money and energy. This commonly used 3D knitting technique will improve the productivity of the industry by reducing material costs, reducing labour-intensive costs and keeping time running quickly. With the implementation of this technology, 80% less waste can be generated. Resulted factors such as global warming potential, edification, eco-toxicity and non-carcinogenic effects on human health indicate that development of knitted uppers have a lower environmental impact than conventional running shoes.

Keywords: Footwear, Knitting, Sustainability, Environment, Fast-Fashion

"Knitted Footwear Technology – An approach towards Sustainability", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 1, page no.1069-1073, January 2019, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIRDW06173.pdf

"Knitted Footwear Technology – An approach towards Sustainability", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 1, page no. pp1069-1073, January 2019, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIRDW06173.pdf