United Creation Optical earns the highest international sustainability certification
KINGSPORT, Tenn., USA – Oct. 20, 2020 – 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.