The innovations emerging from the most recent international events dedicated to footwear technology – the UITIC Congress in Shanghai and the Italian trade fairs visited by the Scientific Committee of Expo Riva Schuh and Gardabags – clearly show that the industry is experiencing a period of radical transformation. These innovations are not confined to laboratories or R&D departments; they are finding tangible application in the products that will be presented at Expo Riva Schuh and Gardabags, organised by Riva del Garda Fierecongressi and taking place in Riva del Garda from 10 to 13 January 2026.
As the first international trade fairs on the calendar for the Autumn/Winter 2026/2027 season, the Riva del Garda exhibitions are key moments when the entire supply chain meets the market. Here, buyers and distributors will be able to see first-hand how new technologies are being integrated into models destined for both high-volume production and the premium segment.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND NEW INDUSTRIAL MODELS
The UITIC Congress strongly highlighted the central role of artificial intelligence – not as an accessory, but as a true “nervous system” capable of connecting business processes, from product design to logistics management. AI makes it possible to forecast demand, optimise resources, reduce waste and accelerate development. At the same time, human input remains essential: as reiterated in Shanghai, clear rules are needed to guide its use.
This vision aligns perfectly with the discussions already taking place within the Expo Riva Schuh and Gardabags community, which for years has explored the contribution of AI to sustainability and industry competitiveness through the Innovation Village Retail project. International start-ups such as Sangrove, IFReturns and ACBC have demonstrated how data and algorithms can improve planning, returns management and material selection – reducing waste and minimising environmental impact.
LIGHTWEIGHT AND CIRCULAR MATERIALS FOR SOLES
While AI is reshaping business organisation, materials are at the heart of product innovation.
Recent events dedicated to new technologies have highlighted the intense activity surrounding innovation in sole production – with solutions designed to meet performance requirements, comply with increasingly strict regulations, and respond to market pressures on sustainability and safety.
The first key area of development concerns lightness: reduced material density through the controlled expansion of PU and EVA, now enhanced by gas-based techniques, makes it possible to lighten even more compact materials such as TPU. These technologies require strong collaboration between machinery manufacturers and chemical suppliers, giving rise to new strategic partnerships.
The second focus is on process innovation. The difficulty in finding workers willing to operate in high-risk environments has accelerated automation. The use of robots to handle high-risk processes and the development of co-moulding solutions reduce the need for adhesives and chemicals, creating advantages in terms of safety, time and cost efficiency. The most advanced technologies now make it possible to produce outsoles and midsoles in a single injection cycle, improving both efficiency and quality.
Lastly, circularity lies at the core of future strategies. Research is increasingly aimed at using thermoplastic materials (which can meet current performance standards) in place of thermosetting ones, thus promoting recycling by eliminating the complexity of chemical cross-linking. The trade fairs showcased examples of multi-level supply chains: from mechanical recycling, which preserves polymer chains, to chemical recycling, and even advanced techniques such as pyrolysis, which restore materials to their original state. In all cases, a crucial factor remains the ability to collect and separate materials correctly according to their composition.
AN INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM
At the UITIC Congress, the concept of an innovation ecosystem was discussed, highlighting the importance of synergies between companies, research centres and the academic world. An approach successfully put into practice at the Riva del Garda trade fairs, where collaboration between start-ups, manufacturers, retailers and institutions takes shape within the Innovation Village Retail. Here, solutions are presented that range from virtual fitting rooms and predictive supply-chain planning to new repair services and material reuse platforms.
“Our fairs are not just product showcases but also spaces for dialogue on the trends reshaping the market,” says Alessandra Albarelli, General Manager of Riva del Garda Fierecongressi. “The innovations discussed in Shanghai show that the future of footwear and accessories will be defined by cross-cutting technologies that impact both luxury and mass production alike. Expo Riva Schuh and Gardabags are the moments when these transformations take shape and turn into real business opportunities.”
FROM INNOVATION TO MARKET
In a global context marked by fragmented supply chains and new trade barriers, innovation is becoming a crucial competitive factor. Expo Riva Schuh and Gardabags will offer companies the chance to explore how technological insights have evolved into tangible collections.
Here, the solutions showcased at recent international fairs or discussed at the UITIC Congress will find real-world application in finished products: lighter, more sustainable and customisable shoes; accessories created from new circular materials; collections developed with the support of artificial intelligence; and production processes that are safer and more efficient.
The direction is clear: the footwear industry is moving towards smarter, more sustainable and more integrated production models. Expo Riva Schuh and Gardabags reaffirms its role as an international platform capable of connecting innovation and the market, building a bridge between the technologies developed in research centres and the products destined for millions of consumers around the world.
