MATERIAL INFORMATION
All injection plastics are traded as pellets, made from virgin material, recycled material, bio-matter in a variety of combinations. Sunshades are working diligently to achieve supply chain transparency where possible.
RECYCLED PMMA
Other names RA30 | rPMMA | recycled acrylic | re-crylic
Applications Injection frames | demo lens
Recycled material made from reclaimed demo lenses and acrylic displays. Currently frame material contains 70% recycled PMMA with a higher percentage possible for acrylic demo lenses.
RPET
Other names Recycled PET | rPET | recycled water bottles
Applications Injection frames, fabric cleaning cloth, pouch
Fabric yarn is generally made from 100% recycled as PET is easily recovered and processed into new materials. Options exist for rPET eyewear but lack heat resistant properties required for our market.
RECYCLED POLYCARBONATE
Other names rPC | recycled PC
Applications Injection frames
As PC is one of the hardiest plastics available, with high impact resistance the recycled form retains these properties well. On a consumer level the difference between the virgin and recycled PC would likely be unnoticeable.
BIO-ACETATE
Other names M49 | Mazzucchelli bio-acetate | eco-acetate
Applications Premium handmade acetate frames
Produced by respected acetate manufacturers Mazzucchelli the features of M49 focus on removing chemical plasticisers from acetate sheets for 100% biodegradability. M49 testing shows that it in controlled composting conditions it breaks down in 115 days, faster than standard EN12432 (2000) stipulates; biodegradation within 180 days.
TRUEGRASSES
Other Names: Le Sustain | meadow grass | Bio-plastic
Applications: Injection frames
An innovative new bio-plastic, Truegrass combines sustainably sourced meadow grass (30%) supplied and verified by BioWert, Germany and post-consumer recycled polypropylene (70%) into a composite material known as Agriplast.
RICE STRAW
Other names: Truegrass | Straw | Bio-plastic
Applications: Injection product
Sourcing from key rice growing regions of China and Taiwan, innovative bio-plastic producer Truegrasses have harnessed the properties of this agricultural waste product for its biomass potential. A by-product normally burned on site after grain is harvested, rice straw is transformed to make up 35% of this new material combined with 65% post-consumer recycled polypropylene (PP). An organic, flecked look and tactile matte finish propels this bioplastic to the frontline of sustainable plastic alternatives.
BPA-FREE
Other names TRITAN™ | TBC material | co-polyester | recyclable
Applications Injection frames
This plastic became freely available around the time The Book Club was founded. It is BPA-free, flexible, lightweight, uses less energy in production compared to PC and can be recycled at level 7 (other) easily when the material is dyed rather than painted.
BIO-PLASTIC G830
Other names Rilsan | RENEW | Castor Oil
Applications Injection made frames
Bio-plastics are either fully or partially made from renewable resources, phasing out the use of non-renewable virgin petroleum in plastic manufacturing. Rilsan derives between 45% and 65% of their ingredients from castor bean oil, depending on the grade of pellet used.