Arkema will be exhibiting at the MIDO tradeshow in Milan from February 3rd to 5th 2024, the leading event in the eyewear industry. With sustainability being more than an imperative to reduce the environmental impact of the entire supply chain, Arkema is committed to provide a wide range of low-carbon solutions to frame manufacturers.
Meet Arkema's material experts at Booth E07/09 Hall 4 and find out more about innovative solutions for more sustainable eyewear!
Arkema relies on a unique expertise of over 75 years in chemistry derived from castor oil, a raw material of natural origin, to develop ranges of Advanced Bio-Circular ("ABC") materials used in the eyewear industry: frames for glasses, goggles, protective eyewear and other optical applications requires lightness, durability and recyclability.
Arkema collaborated with Natureplast and MB Production to continue offering customers more sustainable materials for eyewear. On our booth, we will showcase the latest innovative sunglasses crafted with more than 50% recycled materials, a more sustainable and stylish choice for a conscious customer. The material is composed of partially recycled polyamide 11 and incorporates recycled oyster and scallop shells. The final frame presents a low carbon footprint, good mechanical properties and a unique ceramic-like finish!
Natureplast is a renowned player in bioplastics, ranging from biobased to bio degradable materials. They are committed for several years to the development of the circular economy through various projects aiming at promoting by-products from different French industries locally and particularly by formulating standard or customized bio-plastic compounds. More information about Natureplast here
Eyewear designer and manufacturer in France since 1990, MB production is renowned for the high quality of its frames and its unique expertise in producing small to medium series. MB production is committed to lowering its environmental impact by investing in new bio-sourced materials and innovative process. More information about MB production here
Arkema will also showcase their wide range of innovative and bio-based solutions, including :
Bio-based Rilsan® Clear Rnew® transparent Polyamide
Arkema offers two major references, especially developed for the injection of frames:
Rilsan® Clear G850 Rnew®: flagship material of our range, this grade contains 45% bio-based carbon. It is especially designed for injection molding applications and ideally suited for high end eyewear frames.
Rilsan® Clear G820 Rnew®: this grade contains 62% bio-based carbon and provides outstanding chemical resistance. Offering a high flowability, this material can be injected even for challenging designs and is excellent in overmolding, even over itself.
Rilsan® PA11 : 100% bio-based
When a compromise on transparency can be met, Rilsan® PA11 material offers a 100% bio-based solution for complete freedom of design and easy recycling.
And for 3D printing, Rilsan® PA11 powders exist and are the reference materials in powder bed fusion processes like laser sintering (LS). This technology is used for manufacturing small series of personalized and uniquely designed frames.
Arkema offers Polyamide 11 fine powders, providing flexibility, rigidity, and impact resistance that other 3D printing plastics cannot obtain while being 100% bio-based.
READING, SUNGLASSES, KIDS or SPORTS
Frames for glasses, goggles, protective eyewear, and other optical applications require lightness and high impact resistance from transparent but flexible polymers. Arkema offers the widest portfolio of biobased options offering lightweight, high transparency, flexibility for comfort and chemical resistance.
FOCUS ON: Rilsan® Polyamide 11's carbon footprint reduction
In 2023, Arkema has further decreased the carbon footprint of its bio-based Rilsan® polyamide 11 grades reaching less than 2 kg CO2e/kg (according to ISO14040, 14044 and 14067 standards).
It represents an improvement of around 70% relative to traditional polyamide materials using fossil-based raw materials and conventional energy sources.
The lower carbon footprint applies to the entire global production of Rilsan® PA11 grades, not just a particular set of grades or a certain location.
Materialise, 3D printing services provider
Our Partner Materialise, a leading provider of 3D printing services since 1990, will be present also on our booth. Materialise will be showcasing a collection of 3D printed frames in Polyamide 11 and the Custom Fit Eyewear Suite. Polyamide 11 offers excellent properties for eyewear; flexible and light weight, with high impact resistance. A translucency to the finish results in beautiful pastel tones, and intense dark tones. Experience a demonstration of our Custom Fit Eyewear Suite, with a 3D facial scan that can create custom-fit eyewear tailored to your unique features.
Our common goal: circularity
Committed to an ambitious approach as a responsible manufacturer to limit its environmental impact, Arkema participates in voluntary initiatives to drive positive societal impact along the value chain and for the rational use of resources in its production activities, creating recycling loops to regenerate its materials.
We provide partially or fully recycled polymer grades certified through independent certifications and guarantee that our recycled high-performance materials have properties similar to virgin materials.
More than 10 references will be launched within Rilsan® PA11, Rilsamid® PA12 and Pebax® TPE ranges by the end of the year.