Front view of light blue framed eyeglasses.

Eyewear processability

Processing advantages

With over 80 years of experience in the eyewear industry, Eastman has extensive expertise in material technology. Whether you are injection molding or extruding sheet, we have the specialized knowledge to get you the best results from any of our materials.

Injection molding

Injection molding is one of the most commonly used techniques to produce fast-fashion eyewear. Eastman partners with frame and lens manufacturers worldwide to develop reliable products that facilitate efficient processing, ensuring they can adapt to the ever-changing trends and styles in the industry.

Eastman Tritan^™ Renew copolyester is widely used for injection-molded frames and lenses. Eastman continually works with customers to refine processing guidelines to help make injection molding Tritan as simple and successful as possible.
Eastman Tenite^™ Renew cellulosic plastics are known for their advantages in extruded-sheet applications, but now there are ways to enjoy the benefits of Tenite Renew across a broader set of injection-molded frame applications. Excellent flow properties allow for smaller gates, better gate aesthetics and the ability to mold thicker parts.

A pair of sunglasses resting on cream-colored cloth.

Extrusion

Tenite's excellent melt strength enables effortless extrusion and customization, resulting in improved processability and enhanced chemical resistance. It can also be processed at 20% lower temperatures and dries in 25% less time compared with other polymers.

Tritan provides extruders with excellent toughness, clarity, chemical resistance, dimensional stability, low and stable shrinkage rates, and other properties. Versions of Tritan are available with various additive packages such as UV and color.

Close-up of a person tightening a screw on glasses.

Working with Eastman

Eastman provides eyewear manufacturers and designers with a wide range of materials and technology to help fulfill their vision and keep pace with rapidly changing market needs.

By providing a total-solutions capability, we can focus on customer needs first and then match a polymer and provide technical, design and marketing support to help ensure success with either extrusion or injection molding processes.

Eastman also provides primary and secondary processing support as well as design reviews, product testing and even marketing support. We provide strong market access and knowledge throughout the value chain.