Ben & Frank becomes first Latin American eyewear company to launch Eastman Acetate Renew in optical frames

MEXICO CITY, Kingsport, Tennessee

Ben & Frank, a leading Mexican eyewear brand, launched a new line of optical frames using Eastman Acetate Renew on Earth Day.

Acetate Renew is a fully sustainable material made from biobased and certified recycled content* that diverts hard-to-recycle plastic waste from landfills and reduces harmful greenhouse gases by up to 50%. Indistinguishable from traditional acetate, this innovative material offers a sustainable solution without compromising on quality.

“We are looking for sustainability to be part of our DNA and want to manufacture eyewear that not only helps our customers see well and look good but is also more environmentally responsible,” said Eduardo Paulsen, co-CEO of Ben & Frank. “With Eastman materials, we can move forward into a more sustainable future while maintaining the same level of design and quality for our clients.”

“We are very happy to start this new partnership with Ben & Frank. They are pioneering the use of Acetate Renew in Latin America and offering consumers a more sustainable way to buy glasses,” said Rachel Oakley, eyewear segment leader at Eastman.

The frames will initially come in three models and will feature an acetate body and internal metal for support and hinges. They will be available in circular and rectangular shapes and in colors coffee, green, black with gray, and pink. The frames with Acetate Renew will be priced the same as the company’s traditional acetate frames to make them accessible to all customers.

Ben & Frank expects that 20% of its frame line will be converted to Acetate Renew by the end of 2023 and will continue increasing the offering in upcoming years.

“At Ben & Frank, our mission has always been to create a brand that changes stereotypes and creates a community of customers that feel happy and proud of using eyeglasses,” Paulsen said. “Now we want to use our platform to be part of the change and find our way to creating a more sustainable product and company.”

*Recycled content allocated via ISCC-certified mass balance approach

About Ben & Frank

Born in 2015, Ben & Frank is the Mexican eyewear brand that offers a different shopping experience from traditional optic shops. Thanks to an innovative business model, great designs and fair prices, it has become one of Mexico's favorite brands. The company currently has more than 90 stores throughout Mexico and five stores in Chile.

About Eastman

Eastman is a global specialty materials company that produces a broad range of products found in items people use every day. For more information, visit eastman.com.