#Japan #Tokyo #Eyewear #Materials Informatics #Sumitomo Bakelite

Advancements in Eyewear Polarizing Sheets

Sumitomo Bakelite, headquartered in Shinagawa, Tokyo, has made significant strides in the development of polarizing sheets for eyewear by leveraging Materials Informatics (MI) technology. This innovative approach has dramatically shortened the sample color adjustment period, enabling faster product development and quicker market realization for customers.

Background to the Development

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in eyewear that protects the eyes, driven by increased outdoor activities and usage of digital devices. Polarized lenses, particularly, play a crucial role in reducing sunlight and glare, making them essential for various applications such as outdoor sports and driving. Traditionally, adjusting the colors of polarizing sheets took considerable time, prompting Sumitomo Bakelite to strive for enhancements in development speed and customer proposals.

Utilizing Materials Informatics to Develop Eyewear Polarizing Sheets

With over 20 years of proven performance in eyewear polarizing sheets, Sumitomo Bakelite has positioned digital transformation (DX) as a key operational agenda. By utilizing MI, the company aims to increase efficiency in product development and enhance quality. This initiative is focused on their polarizing sheets for eyewear — a product line that has gathered extensive adjustment data over the years. By analyzing this data along with the dye absorption spectrum database using MI, the company can swiftly simulate the optimal dye combinations and ratios necessary to achieve desired color tones.

Moreover, the product's spectral design adheres to international standards such as EN 166 (European standards) and ANSI Z87.1 (U.S. standards), thereby ensuring signal visibility and safety in product development.

Benefits and Applications

The polarizing sheets developed by Sumitomo Bakelite are utilized in eyewear products such as polarized sunglasses and goggles. They effectively cut glare, resulting in clearer visibility while reducing fatigue and enhancing overall comfort. These features are especially praised in scenarios related to sports and driving, where high performance is crucial.

The eyewear market demands a variety of color tones and customization options. By leveraging MI, Sumitomo Bakelite is committed to reducing development time for customers and expediting product launch speeds.

Contact Information for Inquiries

For further inquiries, please reach out to the Industrial Functional Materials Sales Division of Sumitomo Bakelite Co., Ltd.
Telephone: 03-5462-8700
Inquiry Link: Sumitomo Bakelite Contact