Nature is the highest form of elegance

Protopia reinterprets Italian design starting from its foundations. Every component of this sneaker has been rethought to reduce impact and create a more beautiful, comfortable, and durable shoe, making sustainable innovation a tool to improve the product, not a compromise.

INGREDIENTS

Materials

We select natural, renewable, recycled and upcycled materials, assessing their impact, performance and end-of-life behaviour. Protopia is made almost entirely from natural materials: the upper is designed for compostability, while an enzymatic technology allows the sole to biodegrade under specific composting conditions.

We also prioritise existing resources and by-products from agricultural, food and woodworking supply chains. Each alternative must match or improve the performance of the conventional material it replaces.

  • Pelle Oleum®

    Leather sourced from traceable and deforestation-free supply chains. It is a by-product of the food industry: we therefore give value to an existing material that would otherwise become waste. Durable, repairable, and vegetable-tanned using the Oleum® process, it is designed with its end-of-life in mind.

  • Natural Wax

    Lanolin recovered and reused as a by-product of the wool industry. A natural protective finish, inspired by the tradition of the Republic of Venice, which used it to waterproof sails, capable of improving the water resistance and durability of leather.

  • Silk

    High-strength natural silk, used in its original colour and simply spun, without chemical treatments that remove its protective patina. It comes from pesticide-free mulberry cultivation, essential to protect the silkworm, which is also valued as a food source by the producing communities.

  • Plant Fibers

    Renewable and upcycled fibers from agricultural and woodworking supply chains. They replace traditional plastic and petroleum-derived components.

  • Organic Cotton

    Soft and breathable GOTS-certified recycled cotton, unbleached and in its natural colour. Used for lining, inner comfort and plastic-free laces, it uses the cotton itself as a sponge backing, eliminating polyester.

  • Innovative Rubber

    Comfortable, durable, and designed for lasting use. An enzymatic technology allows the sole to biodegrade only under specific controlled composting conditions, leaving no toxic or phytotoxic residues.

Cutting-edge technologies

Processes

Our processes bring together artisanal knowledge and scientific innovation. We revive traditional techniques such as vegetable tanning and natural dyeing, while simultaneously developing new solutions through material research. The goal is to reduce waste, chemicals, and plastic, while improving precision, performance, and durability.

  • WASTEWATER FROM OLIVE OIL MILLS

    Vegetable Tanned Leather

    Oleum® leather is vegetable-tanned using a process inspired by ancient Roman techniques, which repurposes wastewater recovered from Italian olive mills. The tanning is carried out without chrome, toxic heavy metals, and harmful tanning agents, preserving the leather's softness, quality, and natural character. Designed for compostability, it also allows for the valorization of scraps at the end of the manufacturing process.

  • CULTIVATION IN ITALY

    Vegetable dyes

    The leather is hand-dyed with plant-based dyes obtained from plants cultivated in Italy, particularly in the Aosta Valley. A renewable supply chain linked to natural cycles that reduces dependence on synthetic dyes and creates deep, vibrant, and naturally varying shades.

  • EXCLUSIVE TECHNOLOGY

    Plastic-Free Lace Tips

    A patented stitched finish replaces traditional plastic ends, eliminating superfluous plastic down to the smallest detail.

  • PATENTED TECHNOLOGY

    Construction of the Insole Without Glue

    The patented footbed is entirely assembled by stitching, eliminating all structural adhesives. A water-soluble starch based glue is used only to facilitate assembly, improving durability, flexibility, and material separation at end-of-life.

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Water Consumption and Pollution

Low-water consumption tanning and dyeing save over 14 litres of water per pair, while wastewater from olive mills replaces toxic tanning agents, valorising an agricultural by-product and helping to protect the water cycle.

Resource utilization

We prioritize local sourcing, recycled and upcycled materials, and by-products from existing supply chains, such as leather, lanolin, and plant fibers. This way, we leverage available resources, reducing the need to produce new substitute materials.

Chemicals

Chrome, heavy metals, toxic chemicals, solvents, plastics, and other petroleum derivatives are eliminated from the upper thanks to the use of organic materials, vegetable tanning, natural yarns, and water-soluble starch-based adhesives. Oleum® tanning uses 50% fewer minerals and significantly reduces the impact on the ozone layer.

Work Practices

We revitalize traditional techniques and preserve valuable craft skills, while creating new job opportunities in local communities. From the cultivation and harvesting of raw materials to their processing and assembly, we promote skilled employment, responsible supply chains, and ethical, safe, and respectful working conditions.

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Every component and supplier is fully tracked, going beyond the direct supply chain to the origin of each raw material. This level of detail allows us to have clear and verifiable knowledge of the origin, transformations, and responsibility along every stage of the process.

To understand how sustainable a shoe really is, you need to know what it contains, where it comes from, and what happens during its use and at the end of its life. This is why we make the materials, origin, processes, and limitations of Protopia visible.

TRASPARENZA

Product traceability

Upper
Oleum® leather, vegetable-tanned and hand-colored with plant-based dyes.

Lining
Washed raw cotton, undyed and additive-free.

Internal Structure
Tencel™, natural latex, and upcycled plant fibers.

Footbed and Midsole
Natural latex, corn, kenaf, and upcycled wood fibers.

Sole
Innovative rubber compound with enzymatic technology.

Laces
GOTS certified raw cotton with patented stitched tips.

Stitching and Construction
Natural silk thread for the upper and visible stitching. Recycled nylon used exclusively for the structural stitching connecting the upper and sole.

Protective Finish
Protective treatment based on upcycled lanolin.

Upper
Oleum® leather processed in Italy, sourced from traceable supply chains between Switzerland and Italy. Vegetable-tanned without chrome and designed for compostability.

Lining
GOTS certified cotton, undyed and processed in Italy.

Internal Structure
Renewable and plant-based materials, including Tencel™, natural latex, and upcycled fibers.

Footbed and Midsole
Natural latex, corn, kenaf, and upcycled wood fibers.

Sole
Vulcanized rubber with enzymatic technology that allows for biodegradation under specific composting conditions, leaving no phytotoxic residues.

Laces
Certified cotton, finished
without plastic components.

Upper
Exceptionally soft, breathable, and durable. Gentle on the skin and free of synthetic materials in the upper.

Lining
Soft, breathable, and gentle on the skin. Eliminates synthetic linings, dyes, and additives.

Internal Structure
Free of plastic and solvents. Ensures lasting comfort, breathability, and internal support.

Footbed and Midsole
Free of plastic and solvents. Patented cushioning absorbs shock and promotes better posture.

Outsole
Durable, cushioned, and designed for longevity, with a more responsible end-of-life.

Laces
Soft, durable, and plastic-free. Eliminates traditional plastic tips.

Stitching and Construction
Strong and refined stitching with minimal synthetic content. Nylon is used only where essential to ensure maximum durability.

Protective Finish
Provides natural water resistance, protection, and durability without the use of synthetic finishes.

  • Better from every point of view

    For Olyene, sustainability, style, comfort, and performance must evolve together. Every material and every construction choice is designed to reduce impact while simultaneously enhancing aesthetics, comfort, and durability.

  • Comfort

    Natural materials make the shoe softer, more breathable, and gentle on the skin. The ergonomic footbed and patented cushioning ensure lasting support, while the natural softness and scent of the leather offer a more authentic wearing experience.

  • Quality and durability

    Oleum® leather maintains its natural softness and develops character with use. Where possible, stitching replaces structural adhesives, contributing to strength and longevity. The shoe undergoes laboratory and flex tests, while sole biodegradation is activated exclusively under specific composting conditions.

  • Style and aesthetics

    Olyéne demonstrates that sustainable design doesn't have to be anonymous. Nature-inspired shapes, distinctive materials, and natural colours create a unique and recognisable aesthetic. Over time, the leather acquires character, making each pair even more personal.

  • Sustainability

    From by-products repurposed as new resources to the reduction of synthetic materials, and end-of-life design, Protopia applies circularity principles to the entire shoe construction. Our goal is to continue reducing what is not needed and increasing what adds value.

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The last thread

Protopia drastically reduces the use of synthetic materials without compromising quality or durability. Almost all stitching is made using an exclusive silk thread developed for Olyene. Only the structural stitching that joins the upper to the sole still uses recycled nylon, ensuring the necessary strength and resistance.

A conscious choice, validated by industrial testing: designed to withstand at least 50,000 flex cycles, Protopia exceeded 100,000, achieving levels of durability comparable to those required of professional running shoes.

We are already working on a natural alternative, but we will not replace a material until we have found an equally reliable solution. Because durability is also a fundamental part of sustainability.

For us, Positive Trace does not mean perfection. It means measuring, improving and being transparent about what still needs to be done. Without compromising on quality.

Sensory Elegance

A sculptural sneaker shaped by curves, layers, and organic intelligence: distinctive in character, familiar in feel.
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Made In Italy

From the soil to the lab, from climate to culture, Olyene takes shape through the people, places, and passions of Italy.
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Olyene Labs

Where design, agriculture, chemistry, craftsmanship and materials science meet to challenge every convention of product design or fashion.
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Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a sneaker sustainable?

A sneaker is more sustainable when it reduces its impact throughout its entire life cycle: from the choice of raw materials to production, from its durability during use to its end of life. For Olyene, this means prioritizing natural, renewable, recycled, and upcycled materials, reducing plastic and problematic chemicals, and designing from the outset with what will happen to the shoe when it is no longer usable in mind.

Is leather sustainable?

Leather is not automatically sustainable: it depends on its origin, tanning, durability, and end-of-life. The leather used by Olyene comes from traceable and deforestation-free supply chains and is a byproduct of the food industry: we therefore give value to an existing material that could otherwise become waste. In the case of Protopia, it is also vegetable-tanned through the Oleum® process and designed with compostability in mind.

What is the difference between biodegradable and compostable?

Biodegradable means that a material can be transformed by the activity of microorganisms under appropriate conditions. Compostable indicates a more specific process, which occurs under certain composting conditions and must lead to the decomposition of the material without leaving problematic residues.

In Protopia, the two concepts currently refer to different components: the upper is designed for compostability, while the sole uses enzymatic technology that allows for its biodegradation under specific controlled conditions.

We are already working on a new generation of soles designed to be compostable, just like the upper. Our mission is to achieve a shoe that, at the end of its life, can be disposed of in the organic waste stream and transformed through composting into new useful matter, eventually becoming fertilizer.

Is Protopia completely biodegradable or compostable?

Not yet completely. The upper is designed for compostability and the sole uses technology that allows for biodegradation under specific composting conditions. There is still a structural seam of recycled nylon between the upper and the sole, which is currently necessary to ensure the required strength.

Does a biodegradable sole degrade during use?

No. The Protopia sole is designed to be resistant and durable during normal use. The biodegradation process is only activated when specific conditions of microbiological activity, temperature and composting are present, so not during daily use of the shoe.

Why does Olyene use upcycled materials?

Because one of Positive Trace's principles is to leverage existing resources before creating new ones. Leather, lanolin, and various vegetable fibers are derived from by-products of other supply chains, while other components use recycled or renewable materials. This approach reduces waste and applies circularity principles directly to shoe construction.

What does vegetable-tanned leather mean?

Vegetable tanning uses vegetable-based tanning agents instead of traditional chrome tanning. For Oleum® leather, Olyéne uses a process that valorizes wastewater recovered from Italian olive oil mills, avoiding chrome, toxic heavy metals, and harmful tanning substances, while preserving the leather's softness and natural character.

Why does Protopia represent a new approach to sustainability in sneakers?

Protopia has been redesigned component by component to reduce impact without sacrificing quality, comfort, or durability. It uses vegetable-tanned Oleum® leather, vegetable dyes, certified cotton, natural silk, latex and vegetable fibers, upcycled materials, and a sole with biodegradable enzymatic technology under specific composting conditions. The use of synthetic materials is minimized, and recycled nylon remains exclusively in the structural seam that joins the upper and the sole.

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