Corn — A plant-based material designed to last

At Zèta, we don't select a material for what it appears to be, but for what it enables us to create. The corn we use is a solid plant-based alternative, suited for your shoes, every day.

A plant-based, yet highly technical material

The corn used in our styles does not come from the food industry. It is sourced from non-food crops, which avoids competing with production intended for human or animal consumption.

Once harvested, it is transformed through a clean process: dextrose extracted from corn is fermented, without petrochemicals, then transformed into a polymer. This polymer is then blended with a small quantity of PU to create a durable material with a clean, consistent appearance. The result: a reliable, vegan, and breathable upper.

Designed for regular use

The corn-based material contains 73% Bio PU and 27% recycled polyester. Its plant content reaches 50%, a threshold rarely achieved in the world of trainers.

Developed in Milan, the material is certified by several independent bodies:

PETA, Animal Free, USDA (organic certification), FSC®, ISO 14001, ISO 9001, ISO 45001.

A solid base for everyday trainers

Our Bêta, Alta, Velcro and Kids styles are built around this material. It offers good structure, withstands repeated friction, and holds its shape over time.

It is also breathable and pleasant to wear. A material that does exactly what is asked of it, without overreaching. That is often enough.