DSM Engineering Materials teams with start-up to develop bio-based foldable reusable products

In the Netherlands, DSM Engineering Materials has partnered with sustainability-focused startup DiFOLD, developing 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 marks a major 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 a bio-based thermoplastic copolyester, partially derived from renewable rapeseed oil. This significantly reduces the material’s cradle-to-gate CO2 emissions – delivering a carbon footprint reduction of up to 50% compared to traditional copolyesters. This measurement is based on an in-depth life cycle assessment (LCA), which includes every stage of the material’s production, from the growing of the feedstock crops to the finished product that leaves the factory.