The challenge
MYKITA is an independent eyewear design and manufacturing company driven by a passion for innovation and experimentation. Its eyewear range, simple and functional with a unique and distinctive look that made its success worldwide, is produced in its in-house “modern manufactory” in Berlin, Germany, combining handcraft with high technology.
MYKITA constantly pursues technical excellence and possesses a simple curiosity to look beyond the traditional confines of the eyewear industry. Those elements, combined with a true commitment to sustainability, led it to look for a sustainable material solution for its acetate range – and it wanted a solution it could implement now and at scale while meeting its high design and quality standards requirements.
Acetate is the ultimate material for the finest eyewear, combining unparalleled aesthetics and comfort. A sustainable alternative is hard to find and usually requires significant modifications in design and production.
"Making this package change to Eastman Renew materials reduces the brand's dependence on virgin plastic and helps us bring the world one step closer to making plastic a circular resource."
Moritz Krueger,
Founder and creative director,
MYKITA
The Eastman solution
Eastman Acetate Renew is a 100% sustainable material that is indistinguishable from traditional acetate. Made using Eastman’s pioneering molecular recycling technology, it is a drop-in solution that doesn’t require any changes to design or production processes.
Acetate Renew is made from 60% sustainably sourced wood pulp and 40% certified recycled content.* Fossil resources used in traditional acetate are replaced by hard-to-recycle plastics such as carpets, textiles or eyewear industry waste. Molecular recycling breaks down plastic waste into fundamental building blocks to create new material with the same look, feel and performance as conventional acetate — enabling a seamless transition.
By diverting plastic waste from landfills, incinerators or the environment, Acetate Renew helps reduce plastic waste while leaving valuable fossil materials in the ground. Ultimately, Acetate Renew reduces harmful greenhouse gases by up to 50% compared to the traditional manufacturing process.
The result
In March 2022, MYKITA announced a complete pivot, switching its entire acetate supply to Acetate Renew. The company seamlessly switched its existing and new collections to this sustainable material without any impact on the premium quality and contemporary design its customers value.
This collaboration is a key milestone for Eastman and MYKITA and a positive development for sustainability in the eyewear industry, demonstrating the tangible solutions and potential of circular technology.
1Allocated using ISCC-certified mass balance
