DSM Engineering Materials and DiFOLD collaborate on reusable foldable products

DSM Engineering Materials has partnered with DiFOLD, a sustainability-focused startup, to develop foldable reusable products. The startup has chosen DSM Engineering Materials’ Arnitel® Eco, a bio-based thermoplastic copolyester, to manufacture its flagship Origami foldable water bottle. Adopting Arnitel® Eco is a significant step forward in DiFOLD’s mission to reduce the environmental impact of packaging waste.

Inspired by the Japanese art of paper folding, the patented and award-winning design of DiFOLD’s Origami Bottle means it can fold down to less than 10% of its original volume, greatly improving user convenience and reducing the carbon footprint of shipping. The Origami Bottle provides a durable, reusable, and recyclable alternative to single-use water bottles, helping to avoid plastic packaging waste. And because the bottles are made from DSM Engineering Materials’ Arnitel® Eco, the environmental benefits are even greater.

Arnitel® Eco is partially derived from renewable rapeseed oil, making it a bio-based thermoplastic copolyester. This significantly reduces the material’s cradle-to-gate CO2 emissions, delivering a carbon footprint reduction of up to 50% compared to traditional copolyesters. Arnitel® Eco delivers high performance with a very low environmental impact. It is BPA-free and can withstand temperatures of between -30°c and +100°c. Additionally, it does not absorb the smells or tastes of liquids, giving it a long usable life. On top of this, Arnitel® Eco can also be recycled without losing the quality of the recovered material. This is essential in helping DiFOLD to meet its goal of creating a closed-loop recycling system for its products.

Circularity and durability were the key factors to consider when choosing a material for their unique product, according to the co-founders of DiFOLD, Radina Popova, and Petar Zaharinov. "We wanted a bio-based material that could be recycled and have the specific mechanical properties required by the folding design. We are happy to say that Arnitel® Eco offers the perfect balance of elasticity, plasticity, and circularity," they said.

DSM Engineering Materials supplied the Arnitel® Eco material and offered DiFOLD sustainability advice, technical recommendations, and regulatory compliance services. Pim Janssen, Marketing Manager for Food Contact, Water Contact, and Appliance markets at DSM Engineering Materials, said, "We are pleased that our services and materials could help DiFOLD in their mission to minimize the impact of packaging on the environment – a topic which is also close to our hearts. By helping to de-fossilize the value chain, Arnitel® Eco contributes to creating a circular economy for materials."

DSM Engineering Materials has committed to making bio- and recycled-based alternatives available for its entire portfolio by 2030. These circular materials help to de-fossilize the economy and society, reduce plastic waste and carbon footprint, and meet changing legislative and end-consumer demands. 

For more information about Arnitel® Eco, visit www.dsm.com/engineering-materials/en_US/products/arnitel/arnitel-eco.html.

For more information about DiFOLD, visit https://difold.com/.