Safilo Group announces the introduction of Eastman Tenite Renew in its sunglass and prescription collections. Safilo becomes the first player in the market to use all Eastman Renew materials for Eyewear in its portfolio, across all types of applications and production processes.

Eastman Tenite Renew, to be introduced in January 2023 in Safilo’s licensed brand Levi’s collections, will be progressively rolled out across the Group’s broad brand portfolio, both for sun and prescription frames, further asserting the Company’s business commitment to sustainability and its efforts to bring more recycled materials to the eyewear industry.

Tenite Renew is part of a broad range of sustainable materials now offered at scale by Eastman, a global specialty materials provider and pioneer in molecular recycling technologies. Produced via Eastman’s innovative carbon renewal technology, using hard to recycle plastic waste in the place of fossil fuel, Tenite Renew is composed of minimum 42% bio-based content and minimum 20% recycled content.

“Our intention is to expand the use of sustainable materials as much as possible in order to progress in our sustainability journey.” – declared Vladimiro Baldin, Chief Licensed Brand and Global Product Officier of Safilo Group – “By being the first player in the eyewear industry using all Eastman Renew materials for this application – Acetate Renew, Tritan Renew and Tenite Renew – Safilo can provide our customer with a variety of differentiated options that meet their high standards for both design and sustainability.”

This collaboration is part of Safilo’s purpose-led strategy based on three sustainability pillars: planet, product, and people.

“We are gratified to strengthen and extend our sustainability partnership with Safilo through the adoption of Tenite Renew” – said Glenn Goldman, Commercial Director, Eastman Specialty Plastics – “It’s rewarding to see our materials used to make eyewear more sustainable, and we look forward to continuing to work with Safilo to bring sustainable materials and solutions to additional brands in their portfolio”.

Safilo and Eastman started their profitable collaboration in March 2021 with the introduction of the Eastman Tritan ™ Renew and Eastman Acetate Renew in Safilo’s proprietary brand Polaroid Spring Summer Collection 2022 launched in the market in January.

Click HERE for the full press release.

The World Council of Optometry (WCO) and Alcon have partnered to form a global, evidence-based dry eye disease education initiative designed to raise optometrists’ understanding of dry eye etiology and prevalence, diagnosis, and practical management. Dry eye disease is a chronic, painful condition that impacts 1.4 billion people worldwide, with reports of increased occurrence aligning with notable factors such as increasing use of technology, environmental triggers, and an aging population.

WCO President Peter Hendicott MAppSc, PhD said, “We are excited to partner with Alcon in supporting the education of optometrists globally about practical measures to better address dry eye, a condition that without proper diagnosis and treatment can lead to ocular surface disease. July is Dry Eye Awareness Month—the ideal launching point for this year-long program. By raising the conversation around dry eye, the eye care community can collectively improve outcomes from a condition that can significantly affect people’s vision and lives.”

The WCO and Alcon dry eye disease initiative will feature the collected insights of several world-renowned opinion leaders, and a simplification of the latest research covering different aspects of dry eye disease. Each will include related, easy-to-implement educational materials.

“The impact of dry eye on quality of life is comparable to other disabling conditions, and even mild to moderate dry eye can reduce quality of life,” said Carla Mack, OD, MBA, FAAO, FBCLA, Global Head, Professional Affairs for Alcon. “We’ve joined forces with the World Council of Optometry to bring the leading experts in the field and the latest science to the forefront. We’re excited to help more optometrists access the latest data and world-class faculty so that more patients who suffer from dry eye disease find treatment and relief.”

Click HERE for the full press release.