KINGSPORT, Tennessee
United Creation Optical (UCO) is the first eyewear frame manufacturer in China to obtain ISCC PLUS certification, enabling UCO to begin producing and selling frames made from Eastman Acetate Renew, which is derived entirely from biobased and certified recycled content.
“This is an important milestone in enabling the value chain to use Acetate Renew to produce the most sustainable eyewear in the market. We’re excited that UCO has obtained ISCC Plus certification and will now be able to supply frames made with Acetate Renew,” said Glenn Goldman, Eastman’s commercial director for specialty plastics.
Eastman Acetate Renew is a cellulose diacetate composed of 60% biobased and 40% certified recycled content that is allocated via mass balance. Made through Eastman's innovative carbon renewal technology, Acetate Renew offers virgin-material performance, derives significant amounts of certified recycled content from eyewear production scrap and other materials diverted from landfill, and results in a significant reduction in greenhouse gases compared to materials made with traditional manufacturing processes.
“The best part of this is that we’re able to produce sustainable products that help keep plastics out of landfills without compromising quality,” said Evan Tse, UCO’s Chief Executive Officer.
That goal is shared by Eastman.
"We’re focused on becoming the leading sustainable solution provider in the eyewear industry,” Goldman added. “Eastman is actively working with stakeholders across the value chain to enhance the industry’s overall sustainability — and to do so in a way that is validated and certified by objective, respected and credible third parties such as ISCC.”
Eastman Renew materials have been certified by International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC), a global, independent agency for tracking sustainable content in a variety of industries. Eastman Renew products are produced with ISCC-certified recycled content by mass balance allocation.
About UCO
United Creation Optical was established in Hong Kong in 2001 and is a manufacturer in the eyewear sector that is expert at producing plastic, metal, injection and titanium frames. Its sales, marketing and design team is based in Hong Kong, and its factories are in mainland China. The company provides high-quality eyewear design and production for customers worldwide.
About Eastman
Founded in 1920, Eastman is a global specialty materials company that produces a broad range of products found in items people use every day. With the purpose of enhancing the quality of life in a material way, Eastman works with customers to deliver innovative products and solutions while maintaining a commitment to safety and sustainability. The company’s innovation-driven growth model takes advantage of world-class technology platforms, deep customer engagement, and differentiated application development to grow its leading positions in attractive end markets such as transportation, building and construction, and consumables. As a globally inclusive and diverse company, Eastman employs approximately 14,500 people around the world and serves customers in more than 100 countries. The company had 2019 revenues of approximately $9.3 billion and is headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, USA.
About Eastman in the circular economy
In 2019, Eastman began commercial-scale chemical recycling for a broad set of waste plastics that would otherwise be landfilled or incinerated, or worse, end up in the environment. Eastman Advanced Circular Recycling technologies process waste plastics traditional mechanical recycling methods cannot—including polyesters, polypropylene, polyethylene, and polystyrene—derived from a variety of sources, including single-use plastics, textiles, and carpet. These technologies provide a true circular solution of endless recycling for materials, allowing them to be reused repeatedly. For more information, visit eastman.eco.
Editorial Contact
Laura Mansfield, APR
Tombras
1-865-599-9968
lmansfield@tombras.com
