Representatives of the Bata Company Management Visit the Footwear Research Centre
7. July 2025On Wednesday, 25 June 2025, Charles Pignal, great-grandson of Tomáš Baťa, and Panos Mitaros, Global CEO of the Bata company, visited the Footwear Research Centre at Tomas Bata University in Zlín. The purpose of the visit was to initiate a new phase of collaboration in the field of footwear research between the Bata company and the Footwear Research Centre at Tomas Bata University.
During the visit, the Centre’s Director, Tomáš Sáha, introduced the key research topics currently being pursued at the Centre. Three research areas, in particular, captured the visitors’ attention.
“The greatest interest was sparked by projects focused on new biocomposite materials as alternatives to chrome-tanned leather. These involve the development of fibrous composites made from natural plant-based materials, which in many respects outperform traditional leather. Their advantages lie in their renewability and the beneficial transformation of plant waste into footwear components,” explained Director Tomáš Sáha.
The Bata company representatives also took a keen interest in the Laboratory of Diagnostics of the Musculoskeletal System, which focuses on the health aspects of footwear and the potential for correcting musculoskeletal issues through individually tailored shoe design. “This research direction is becoming increasingly important due to the rising number of individuals with musculoskeletal disorders. Other areas of focus include customised footwear for athletes and specialised professions. There is ongoing interest, of course, in suitable footwear for diabetics, pregnant women, and individuals suffering from swelling of the lower limbs,” added Tomáš Sáha.
The delegation also showed strong interest in projects concerning the sustainability of footwear manufacturing processes and recycling procedures related to both production and end-of-life stages of footwear. As chrome-tanned leather shoes still represent a significant portion of the market, manufacturers are keen to find viable solutions. “They were particularly impressed with our project on the carbonisation of chrome-tanned leather and the use of the resulting activated carbon in the production of electrodes for standard rechargeable batteries. Another topic was biodegradable footwear components that can be composted after use,” concluded Tomáš Sáha.
Beyond research topics, the delegation also expressed interest in collaboration in the field of international education, currently being developed at the University Institute of Tomas Bata University.
