Sustainable design

REGRIND produce recycled eyewear material for fashion brands

14th August 2024

This season, selected eyewear models at BALENCIAGA are made from old frames through the unique patented Swedish innovation process, REGRIND by EOE Eyewear

The independent sustainable eyewear materials innovators, REGRIND have announced that the latest BALENCIAGA eyewear collection features a model in several colours made from the recycled material that they have developed over the last few years. REGRIND utilizes old discarded eyewear and repurposes it to make a new attractive circular acetate material suitable for new designs.

The recycling rate of the old eyewear is an impressive 98%, and the resulting bio acetate material has multiple properties in terms of its quality, flexibility and durability, as well as endless creative possibilities for colour and pattern. Each frame produced through this process has up to 35% lower CO2 emissions compared to a standard frame according to a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Above: REGRIND recycled material samples – the colours and patterns of the material have been developed for high-quality collections

Balenciaga Neo Round, produced in circular Regrind™ acetate. The acetate used for the Balenciaga Neo Round was chosen from REGRIND’s in-house selection of acetate; the material can also be customised for the client – *image courtesy of REGRIND*

Furthermore, the REGRIND team has taken care to ensure that the electricity used in the regrinding process is certified to come from renewable sources. The REGRIND™ process is ISCC plus certified and measured by the ISO14040 method to follow a fair and scientific Life Cycle Analysis.

REGRIND by EOE Eyewear – a company founded in Swedish Lapland – is one of the leading materials innovators in Europe, working for change towards a more sustainable eyewear industry, where design and quality together, come first. To find out more about the REGRIND process visit https://www.eyestylist.com/2022/06/regrind-an-innovative-approach-to-circular-design/ For further information visit www.regrind.se

Sustainable design

Cabrio Eyewear: the Satin Collection

1st May 2024

Made by the eyewear innovators HOET in Belgium, the latest products in the Cabrio Collection have a satin finish, inspired by the softness and translucency of elegant fabrics

A new 3D printed collection by HOET – produced in Belgium – features a satin-inspired finish like that of different fabrics including satin and toile. The eyewear is made from liquid resin which the design company says offers a new opportunity in eyewear design.

Cabrio Eyewear: the frame fronts in the Satin Collection are 3D printed – the material has a soft texture and translucent finish

“Sustainability and eco-friendly production remain key as this new materials causes no material waste. The liquid resin hardens through photopolymerisation, leaving a hard structure which is tactile and soft to the touch…” HOET Eyewear

The Satin Collection by Cabrio is a new launch for HOET Eyewear for Spring/Summer 2024. To find out more about the Cabrio brand, and how the collection uses new materials and innovative techniques to create unique aesthetics in eyewear, visit https://cabrio-eyewear.be/

Sustainable design

Independent eyewear brand Rolf receives recognition for sustainable product

5th February 2024

The Wire collection is the Austrian brand’s latest design-led series – it has won the Mido award in the sunglasses category – the collection offers a beautiful sophisticated attention to style as well as function

Rolf has received the CSE Certified Sustainable Eyewear – Sunglasses Europe Category – at the Mido eyewear show in Milan this weekend, a further accolade that brings much well-deserved recognition from the optical segment for the brand’s sustainable innovation and design. Their new Wire collection, which is 3D printed using rapidly renewable castor beans, offers plant-based optical and sunglass models which are light, robust and durable – with a researched qualitative contemporary design.

The frames in the Wire collection are characterised by coloured threads to create an artistic accent. They feature timeless shapes and a stylish finish, while also making a clear statement about preserving our planet and evolving materials in eyewear to meet this need.

The unique glasses from Rolf – whether they’re made out of wood, stone, or the new sustainable material – can be purchased at selected optical retailers and in the two flagship stores in Vienna and Reutte, Austria. www.rolf-spectacles.com

Sustainable design

MYKITA: calling for conscious consumption

21st November 2023

The Berlin brand is advocating thoughtful purchases, a longer product life and company commitment to prolonging the lifespan of eyewear through their MYCARE service – this programme of activity comes in the light of their also winning Responsible Company Award at SILMO 2023

MYKITA, the Berlin innovation-led design brand, is pushing for a more considered approach to eyewear shopping, and greater focus on longer lasting, quality frame design. In this light, the brand is highlighting their MYCARE service which includes frame maintenance and refurbishment, customised adjustments, and professional eyewear cleaning.

Product aftercare is available free of charge at MYKITA Shops worldwide to ensure MYKITA eyewear feels new for as long as possible, and looks, fits, and functions the way it was designed.

Moritz Krüger, MYKITA founder and creative director made a statement following the win at SILMO: “MYKITA is committed to generating positive change and meaningful innovation for the wellbeing of people, protecting the planet, with eyes set on bright future for generations to come. To receive this prize is a tremendous validation of our path and efforts, and a strong encouragement to heighten our efforts and continue to push further on social and environmental responsibility.”

Alongside product lifespan, MYKITA also underlines their ecological and social responsibility developed over the past years. From becoming the first eyewear company to completely switch its acetate material purchasing to the recycled Acetate Renew, the firm have also established a closed-loop supply system for stainless steel, their most frequently used material. Today, 90% of MYKITA’s purchased eyewear materials are already recycled and 100% recyclable. For more details on responsibility at MYKITA: https://mykita.com/de/mykitahaus/about/responsibility/

Sustainable design

Bird Eyewear introduces own bio-acetate material: Plantix

29th October 2023

The Harrier frame is the UK company’s first release using the Plantix bio-acetate

Bird Eyewear has recently launched a new frame design made from Plantix, a brand new, low-carbon bio-acetate designed in-house by Bird. Unlike some of the conventional materials derived from petroleum-based sources, Plantix is a bio-acetate produced from naturally renewable materials. The sustainable production process uses acetic acid and plant-based polymers to create the material, which is then coloured with plant-based dyes. Above: new model Harrier in Olive – the natural colours, which also include Caramel and Dusk, are inspired by the local landscape of Devon in the South West of England (UK)

Harrier by Bird Eyewear – a classic panto shape – suitable for sun or optical lenses

Bird describes the material as non-toxic – it has improved biodegradability compared to traditional plastics which can take thousands of years to break down, littering landfills and oceans. Bird has also devised a recycle scheme in which Plantix can be recycled. The new range has a carbon impact of just 113 grams of CO2 per frame – less carbon emissions than using a mobile phone for 1 hour.

To find out more about the new Plantix frame Harrier, visit https://findyourbirds.com

This feature was published by Eyestylist.com on 29th October 2023.