Acetate Renew

Conscious design. Sustainable material. Responsible production.

A big step towards a more sustainable future.

On our journey to an even more responsible use of limited resources, we are now launching the most sustainable VIU eyewear ever: our new RE collection made with Eastman Acetate Renew.

Acetate Renew – 96% sustainable

Eastman Acetate Renew is predominantly organically based and made from certified sustainable cellulose and recycled plastics instead of conventional fossil-fuel-based raw materials. Consisting almost entirely of organic and recycled components, this new material is identical in functionality and quality to traditional acetate, but much more environmentally friendly.

The Recycling Revolution

Molecular recycling is a revolutionary recycling technology that breaks down hard-to-recycle plastics into their molecular building blocks and converts them into a durable basic material. Together with organically based cellulose and organic plasticisers, this creates a uniquely sustainable material: Eastman Acetate Renew.

Carbon footprint

Compared to using conventional acetate, we can reduce the carbon footprint of each manufactured frame by as much as one third.

The RE Collection

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FAQ

What is Acetate Renew?

Acetate Renew is a more sustainable alternative to traditional acetate. Like traditional acetate, it is made from sustainable cellulose – but the cellulose is combined with certified recycled plastics instead of fossil fuels. Together with organic plasticisers, the result is a material consisting of 96% sustainable components.

Are there differences between traditional acetate and Acetate Renew?

Acetate Renew is the world’s first acetate made from recycled plastic waste. Unlike conventional acetate, Acetate Renew is made by combining wood pulp with certified recycled plastics, rather than with fossil fuels. The combination of cellulose, recycled plastics and organic plasticisers creates acetate sheets are 96% sustainable materials. Furthermore, the carbon footprint of Acetate Renew is as much as 30% lower than the footprint of conventional acetate. The manufacturing process also emits up to 50% less greenhouse gas. In terms of its quality, functionality and wearing comfort, Acetate Renew does not differ from conventional acetate.

Where does the recycled material in Acetate Renew come from?

The recycled content comes from plastics that cannot be recycled via conventional methods. This helps to reduce the amount of plastic waste in landfills and oceans. The variety of recycled items is large: for example, carpets, packaging and clothing.

Some eyewear brands are likewise already using Acetate Renew. What is special about VIU?

We make no compromises and accordingly use only organic plasticisers instead of conventional ones, so the Acetate Renew that we use consists of 96% sustainable materials. In addition, we guarantee transparency in our value chain and – like our producers – we are ISCC-certified. We are proud of everything we have achieved so far and are actively working to further drive change in the eyewear industry in close cooperation with our long-term manufacturing partners.

How can I recognise eyewear made from Acetate Renew?

All Acetate Renew frames are marked with a circle on the inside of the temple. This circle symbolises the circularity and sustainability of the labelled products – so you can find your way around quickly and easily. On our website, sustainably manufactured frames are marked with a highly visible green “Sustainable” badge.