DSM and DiFOLD collaborate on foldable and reusable 'origami bottle'

        Recently, DSM Engineering Materials announced a collaboration with DiFOLD, a startup focused on sustainability, to develop a foldable and reusable product, the "Origami Bottle" - an origami foldable water bottle. DiFOLD said the use of Arnitel ECO marks an important step for DiFOLD in reducing the environmental impact of packaging waste.

         Circularity and durability are key factors to consider when selecting materials for its unique products. "We wanted a bio-based material that could be recycled while having the specific mechanical properties required for folding designs. We are happy to say that Arnitel® Eco offers the perfect balance of elasticity, formability and circularity," said Radina Popova and Petar Zaharinov, co-founders of DiFOLD.

        Arnitel Eco is a bio-based thermoplastic copolyester material that is partly derived from renewable rapeseed oil. This significantly reduces the CO2 emissions of the material from development to production. The company claims that this helps reduce the carbon footprint by up to 50% compared to conventional copolyesters. This measurement is based on an in-depth life cycle assessment (LCA) that includes every stage of the material's production, from the growth of the feedstock crop to the time the finished product leaves the factory. These qualities make Arnitel Eco ideal for use in the production of DiFOLD origami bottles. Arnitel Eco is able to achieve high performance with extremely low environmental impact. It is BPA-free and can withstand temperatures between -30℃ and +100℃. In addition, studies have shown that Arnitel Eco does not absorb odor or taste of liquids, making it last longer. Most importantly, Arnitel Eco can also be recycled without any loss of quality. DSM said this is crucial to helping DiFOLD achieve its goal of a closed-loop recycling system.

        According to DiFOLD, the bottle is inspired by the Japanese art of origami. DiFOLD's patented origami bottle design can fold the bottle to only 10% of its original volume. DSM said this greatly improves user convenience and reduces the carbon footprint of transportation. DSM also pointed out that the origami bottle provides a reusable and recyclable alternative to disposable water bottles, helping to avoid plastic packaging waste.

        Pim Janssen, Marketing Manager Food Contact, Water Contact and Appliances at DSM Engineering Materials, said: “We are pleased that our services and materials can help DiFOLD achieve their mission to minimize the environmental impact of packaging, which is also a concern of ours. By helping the value chain to de-fossilize, Arnitel® Eco contributes to the realization of a circular economy in terms of materials.”