Mitsui Chemicals pioneers lens waste recycling technology in Japan

JAPAN – Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. has unveiled groundbreaking technology aimed at chemically recycling shavings and waste lenses generated while producing and processing MR (high-refractive-index) ophthalmic lens materials.

This initiative marks a significant step toward practical implementation of sustainable practices within the industry.

Ophthalmic lenses undergo various production stages, including molding, prescription processing, surfacing, edging, and fitting into frames at retail locations.

Much lens waste – comprising swarf and discarded lenses—is disposed of. Mitsui Chemicals’ new approach seeks to recover these materials for chemical recycling, allowing them to be repurposed into high-quality MR ophthalmic lens materials while upholding rigorous standards of transparency and strength.

As a leading manufacturer of ophthalmic lens materials, Mitsui Chemicals supplies lens manufacturers globally with top-quality products, renowned for their weather resistance and diverse refractive indices.

The company’s MR series exemplifies its commitment to innovation, providing high-refractive-index options that enhance performance. Additionally, Mitsui Chemicals offers specialized coating materials designed to extend the lifespan and functionality of ophthalmic lenses.

In line with its environmental goals, Mitsui Chemicals is also advancing eco-friendly initiatives, including ‘Do Green’, a plant-derived ophthalmic lens material.

The company is dedicated to delivering sustainable, high-value products while continuing to develop solutions that emphasize the concept of Quality of View (QoV) to enhance vision and overall eye health.

Emphasizing its commitment to sustainable practices, Mitsui Chemicals has launched two new brands: BePLAYER’, which promotes carbon neutrality through biomass, and ‘RePLAYER’, which focuses on recycling to support a circular economy.

These brands reflect the company’s mission to utilize renewable resources and reduce reliance on finite stock materials, address complex social issues, and foster regenerative lifestyles.

The newly announced MR lens recycling project aligns with the RePLAYER vision of treating plastic waste as a reusable resource, echoing Mitsui Chemicals’ earlier efforts to transition to bio-based hydrocarbons for cracker facilities starting in December 2021.

By adopting sustainable raw materials such as bio-based and recycled resources, pursuing alternative fuels like ammonia, and engaging in regional collaborations, Mitsui Chemicals aims to contribute to the realization of a circular economy, reshaping the industry from the material level upward.

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