natural3D and naturalPX are both biobased plastics made from renewable castor oil, opposite to non-renewable petroleum-based resources that are damaging to the environment. At the moment, biobased plastics only make up 0.5% of all manufactured plastics world-wide, so we are leading the way in developing and utilizing materials that do not deplete the planet’s precious mineral resources.

The processes involved in the extraction of castor oil do not demand high levels of energy, which means carbon dioxide emissions are very low. Our customers can therefore purchase our eyewear safe in the knowledge that we are doing everything possible to minimize our company’s carbon footprint. In addition, both materials are free from harmful chemicals such as BPA, BPS and plasticizers which are major pollutants and are linked to a wide range of health problems.

natural3D and naturalPX are not just kinder to the environment, they also have many special properties that optimize the look and feel of NEUBAU EYEWEAR. Their high elasticity and form stability also ensure that the frames fit well and retain their shape.

Our 3D frames feature subtle details, rich matte colors, and textures that are nearly impossible to achieve with conventional manufacturing methods.

Today's environmentally conscious customers demand products that are engineered to last. Frames made from natural3D and naturalPX are designed to retain their shape and be durable - the ideal conditions for customers who follow the motto "buy less, but buy higher quality".

natural3D and naturalPX are hypoallergenic. This means that they do not cause reactions with the skin's natural chemicals or with other substances applied to the skin. Cold-pressed, non-toxic castor oil, which is the base ingredient of our plant-based polymers, is also used in numerous medications and cosmetics due to its properties.

Our 3D printing can most easily be described as a sintering process, where multiple layers of powdered plastic are baked into a solid part. This process is known as SLS (selective laser sintering). "Sintering" means using heating to create a solid shape without heating the plastic to the point of liquefaction. SLS proceeds as follows: heating, printing, cooling.

3D printing is a more resource-efficient manufacturing method than traditional production of frames. It is especially sustainable because it only uses the material it needs during the sintering process. This results in an exceptionally efficient, zero-waste manufacturing solution.

A significant proportion of the natural3D material used in the printing process can be recycled. After each batch has been printed, 50% of the residue powder can be mixed with new powder to create a new batch of products or printing filaments. This production method does not require any extra tools, so it also saves on resources.

The ethos of circularity in manufacturing drives all our decisions and is why we introduced our closed-loop 3D manufacturing process at the beginning of 2019. Circularity is achieved by recycling residue polyamide in our production process and by ensuring waste we are unable to use can be used in other applications.

Once the old powder is no longer usable, it is collected by a specialist plastics processing company which ensures that the powder is properly recycled within environmental management guidelines. As long as the material is free of any traces of oxidation and contamination, it can be recycled in any production process that does not specifically require 100% virgin products. The manufacturer of our 3D printer covers the transport costs and acts as an intermediary between us and the recycling company. The money is used to fund social initiatives as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility program.