Arkema eyewear materials : Arkema Reinforces Sustainable Leadership at MIDO 2026 With Bio-Based High-Performance Materials Transforming Smart, Sports, Safety and Children’s Eyewear Design 22-01-2026
Arkema eyewear materials
Arkema will participate in MIDO 2026, the world’s leading eyewear trade show, taking place in Milan from January 31 to February 2, 2026. As a global leader in advanced materials, Arkema will present its latest portfolio of bio-based transparent polyamides, reinforcing its commitment to innovation, sustainability and high performance in the eyewear industry
At MIDO 2026, Arkema eyewear materials will demonstrate how advanced polymers can respond to the evolving needs of eyewear brands and consumers. Eyewear today goes far beyond vision correction, integrating technology, safety, comfort and personal expression. Arkema’s solutions are designed to support this transformation across multiple market segments.
Modern eyewear must be lightweight, durable and visually appealing, while also meeting sustainability expectations. Arkema eyewear materials enable manufacturers to achieve this balance by combining mechanical strength, transparency and reduced environmental impact.
One of the key focus areas at MIDO will be smart eyewear. Connected and digital eyewear requires ultra-light materials that can integrate electronic components without compromising comfort or design. Arkema eyewear materials support next-generation smart devices, including augmented reality and virtual reality applications, where weight reduction and material reliability are essential.
Safety eyewear represents another critical segment. Products in this category must offer exceptional impact resistance while maintaining optical clarity. High-performance Arkema eyewear materials deliver outstanding transparency and resistance to ballistic testing, enabling the development of lightweight protective eyewear that meets strict safety standards.
In sports eyewear, performance and comfort are equally important. Frames must withstand repeated stress, environmental exposure and intensive use. Arkema eyewear materials provide excellent fatigue resistance and flexibility, allowing manufacturers to create durable sports eyewear that remains comfortable during extended wear.
Children’s eyewear requires a different balance of properties. Products must be resilient, safe and comfortable, while also appealing in design. Arkema eyewear materials enable playful and ergonomic designs with enhanced durability, supporting everyday use by younger wearers.
Visitors to MIDO 2026 are invited to meet Arkema’s experts at Hall 4, Stand D07–D09. The booth will showcase how Arkema eyewear materials help brands differentiate their products through sustainable innovation and advanced material performance.
Arkema will present several flagship material solutions during the event. Rilsan Clear Rnew G850 and G820 offer up to 62 percent bio-based carbon origin and are designed for injection-molded frames that combine strength, transparency and premium aesthetics. Rilsan Polyamide 11 Fine Powders are made from 100 percent bio-based content and are ideal for customized eyewear produced through powder bed fusion technologies. The Rilsan Polyamide 11 Air series delivers ultra-lightweight solutions tailored for smart eyewear and immersive digital applications. High-impact Rilsan Clear grades provide excellent transparency and resistance for safety eyewear applications.
Beyond material innovation, Arkema is actively driving circularity within the eyewear industry. As a global leader in high-performance thermoplastics recycling, Arkema collaborates across the value chain to collect end-of-life materials and convert them into high-quality recycled grades. This approach enables eyewear brands to significantly reduce their carbon footprint while maintaining performance and quality.
Arkema has also partnered with Materialise to launch a design challenge focused on children’s eyewear, combining bio-based materials with advanced 3D printing technologies. The challenge aimed to demonstrate how sustainable materials can unlock new creative possibilities in eyewear design.
The winning concept, developed by Acuitis, was selected for its aesthetic quality, durability and comfort. The design leveraged the lightweight nature and mechanical performance of bio-based Rilsan PA11 Fine Powders. Arkema and Materialise will now support Acuitis in bringing this sustainable children’s eyewear collection to market.
In parallel with its innovation efforts, Arkema continues to expand its global production footprint. The company recently announced the successful start-up of a new Rilsan Clear transparent polyamide production unit in Singapore. This strategic investment of approximately 20 million US dollars triples Arkema’s global production capacity for transparent polyamides and establishes the largest transparent polyamide capacity in Asia.
Arkema’s presence at MIDO 2026 reflects a long-term commitment to sustainable growth, technological leadership and performance excellence. Through Arkema eyewear materials, the company supports eyewear brands worldwide in designing products that are lighter, stronger, smarter and more sustainable.
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