Merquinsa’s renewable-sourced Pearlthane® ECO, Bio Thermoplastic Polyurethane Elastomers (Bio TPU) can now be found in market leader, Smith Optics’ new Evolve collection of snow goggles. Merquinsa’s Bio TPUs are renewable-sourced (bio-content from 20% up to 90% according to ASTM D6866) and recyclable materials with properties very similar to petrochemically-based TPU, contributing to global warming reduction.
According to an independent preliminary life cycle analysis, manufacturing Pearlthane® ECO contributes up to 40% less global warming emissions.
Smith Optics’ new Evolve collection of snow goggles use Renewable-sourced Merquinsa’s Pearlthane® ECO.
(Source: Smith Optics Inc.)
Smith Optics has chosen Pearlthane® ECO because of its environmental benefits and due to its outstanding set of performance features, such as flexibility at low temperatures, robustness and ease of processing.
“At Smith Optics we understand that the products we make directly affect our environment. There has been a contradictory or dichotomous relationship in our industry between how we produce our products and how we live our lives and enjoy our sports. We as a company pride ourselves on making products that help people enjoy the outdoors and those products need to be created in a manner that is as environmentally friendly as possible. Finding Merquinsa’s Pearlthane ECO material has been the most dramatic step we have been able to take toward our goals,” said Senior Product Manager, Ben Flandro.
The renewable-based content of the Bio TPU used in Smith Optics’ ski goggles is 44% as certified by ASTM D6866.
About Merquinsa
Merquinsa is a leading thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) specialty producer, providing innovative products for injection molding, extrusion, calendering, melt coating, compounding and adhesive applications. Merquinsa was recently granted the Frost & Sullivan 2008 Global Thermoplastic Urethane (TPU) Product Innovation Green Excellence of the Year Award. This award recognizes Merquinsa’s innovation in biopolymers, with its groundbreaking Bio TPU made from renewable carbon resources and successfully marketed globally under Pearlthane® and Pearlbond® ECO brands. Merquinsa’s headquarters are in Barcelona, Spain with regional centers in Asia and North America. For more information about Merquinsa, and PEARLTHANE®, PEARLCOAT®, PEARLBOND®, PEARLSTICK® and DISPERBOND® specialty TPU resins.
About Smith Optics Inc
Based in Sun Valley, Idaho, Smith Optics, Inc. was founded in 1965 with the creation of the first goggle featuring a sealed thermal lens and breathable vent foam. Today, Smith is known for its diverse line of sunglasses, goggles and helmets. Smith’s devotion to excellence, innovation, performance and style has made Smith the choice of action-sport athletes worldwide. Smith products are sold in more than 50 countries through sporting goods and specialty stores.
