Folding water bottle to be made from bio-based plastic

The company producing an origami-inspired folding water bottle will be manufacturing them using a bio-based thermoplastic copolyester.

DiFOLD is a startup that is developing foldable reusable products. It has chosen DSM Engineering Materials’ Arnitel Eco copolyester to manufacture its flagship Origami foldable water bottle.

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 – improving convenience and reducing the carbon footprint of shipping. The Origami Bottle is reusable and recyclable, helping to prevent plastic packaging waste.

Arnitel Eco is a bio-based thermoplastic copolyester, partially derived from renewable rapeseed oil. This significantly reduces the material’s 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.

According to the cofounders of DiFOLD, Radina Popova and Petar Zaharinov, circularity and durability were the key factors to consider when choosing a material for their unique product. Popova and Zaharinov commented: “We wanted a bio-based material that could be recycled, as well as having 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.”

Arnitel Eco is BPA-free and can withstand temperatures of between -30°c and +100°c. And it does not absorb the smells or tastes of liquids, giving it a long usable life.

It can also be recycled without any loss of quality in the recovered material. This is essential in helping DiFOLD to meet its goal of creating a closed-loop recycling system for its products. As well as supplying the material, DSM Engineering Materials offered DiFOLD sustainability advice, technical recommendations, and regulatory compliance services.

“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,” said Pim Janssen, marketing manager for food contact, water contact, and appliance markets at DSM Engineering Materials.