Abstract: A method of depolymerizing a polyester in a waste material is disclosed. The method comprises: supplying the waste material comprising the polyester to a depolymerization vessel; depolymerizing the polyester to form a depolymerized mixture comprising a regenerated diol, a regenerated diacid, and a catalyst; isolating the regenerated diacid and the catalyst from the regenerated diol to form a regenerated composition including the regenerated acid and the catalyst; and separating the regenerated composition from the regenerated diol. In addition, a regenerated composition formed from depolymerization of a waste material is disclosed wherein the regenerated composition comprises a regenerated diacid and a catalyst and wherein the catalyst is present in an amount of from 5 ppm to 300 ppm.

Abstract: A method of obtaining a purified regenerated diacid from a depolymerization of a polyester in a waste material wherein the depolymerization provides a depolymerized mixture comprising a regenerated diol, a regenerated diacid, and a catalyst is disclosed. The method comprises: separating a regenerated composition including the regenerated acid and the catalyst from the regenerated diol; providing the regenerated composition in a liquid medium to form a pre-aged mixture; subjecting the pre-aged mixture to thermal cycling wherein the cycling occurs within 25° C. and within a temperature range of from 150° C. or more to 300° C. or less to form an aged mixture; and separating the regenerated composition from the liquid medium in the aged mixture.

Abstract: A method of forming a polyester from a regenerated composition comprising a regenerated diacid and a catalyst obtained from depolymerization of a polyester in a waste material is disclosed. The method comprises: reacting a diol and the regenerated diacid in the regenerated composition to form one or more compounds including an ester bond; optionally providing additional catalyst; and polymerizing the one or more compounds including an ester bond to form a polyester.

Abstract: Joining a bottom unit, such as an athletic shoe sole, with an upper is achieved with an over molding process. A midsole core may be formed with a direct attach to an underfoot portion of the upper. The forming of the midsole core may be achieved with open cast molding or injection molding, for example. A shell may encapsulate the midsole core and also mechanically engage with the upper to further join the bottom unit with the upper. The shell and the midsole core may be formed from an elastomeric polymer such as polyurethane, thermoplastic polyurethane, ethyl-vinyl acetate, and/or silicone-based materials.