Materials influence more than how products are made. They shape how products are experienced.
The LP Slide is the latest chapter in our Liquidplant case study series, exploring how our 100% plant-based plastic alternative can be used for everyday items like footwear. We sat down with the team to discuss the inspiration behind the concept and how a simple slip-on became a step forward for material innovation.
Q: Why is Liquidplant such a strong material for shoes?
A: Footwear demands more from materials than almost any other product. It has to flex, absorb impact, handle pressure, and perform every day without breaking down. Liquidplant was engineered to do all of that while staying 100% plant-based. The goal wasn’t to make a “sustainable alternative.” It was to create a next-generation foam that performs at the highest level, without relying on petroleum plastics.
Q: What’s the inspiration behind the LP Slide?
A: We wanted the LP Slide to feel futuristic, sculptural, and unmistakably new. A lot of footwear design still follows the visual language of petroleum foams. We approached this differently. The form is inspired by fluidity, performance, and the idea that material innovation should look as advanced as the technology behind it. The result is a silhouette that feels both minimal and expressive.
Q: How do you see materials like Liquidplant shaping the next generation of design?
A: The next era of design starts with materials. For decades, products have been built around the limitations of petroleum plastics. We’re finally entering a moment where designers can create high-performance products from entirely different inputs. That changes not only how products perform, but how they’re made, how they age, and how they return back to the earth. Material innovation will define the future more than surface aesthetics ever will.
Q: What’s next for the future of wearable products?
A: Wearables shouldn’t stop at technology. The materials touching your body every day matter just as much. We see a future where footwear, accessories, and everyday essentials are designed with smarter materials from the very beginning. Products that perform better, feel better, and leave behind less waste. The LP Slide is one step toward that future.
Find out how you can use Liquidplant in your footwear here.
