On explains its spray-on technology speeds up production and brings shoe manufacturing closer to the end consumer, which creates new opportunities for circularity.

The company plans to set up a fully-automated production unit for the shoes at its On Labs site in Zurich where the final shoes will be assembled.

“LightSpray marks a significant milestone for On, not only in creating high performance products but also the potential it has to move us towards a more sustainable, circular future,” explained On’s co-CEO Marc Maurer.

“Our team is constantly challenging itself to rethink the status quo in terms of the design, development, and manufacturing of performance sportswear. LightSpray technology will propel us forward in our mission to be the most premium sportswear brand, rooted in innovation, design and impact.”

On plans to take the automated production unit that makes the shoes on tour to provide live manufacturing demonstrations.

Consumers will be able to watch the spray-on shoes being made at the On Labs Paris pop-up from 27 July to 10 August.

Inspired by Halloween decorations made using a hot glue gun, the bespoke, one-step manufacturing process creates high-performance uppers for the shoes using a robotic arm. The process also eliminates the need for glue.

The shoes, called the Cloudboom Strike LS, offer a seamless lace-free upper that adapts to the foot. Each shoe can be fully assembled in three minutes.

Kenyan runner Hellen Obiri has been running races in a development version of the shoe since April 2024, including when she won the Boston Marathon.

In February, fashion designer and owner of brand Procode_Dress Lilach Porges unveiled a patent-pending robotic arm 3D-printing technology that combines pattern making and fabric sewing with 3D printing to create ready-to-wear garments.