Introduction of Allyl Ester Resin for Spectacle Lenses by SDK
Basically the spectacle lenses are classified by their level of refraction factors into three categories of high, medium and low. The higher the refraction factor, the thinner and lighter the lens becomes. The current market demand in Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America is shifting from glass type lenses to resin type one, and from low refraction ones to medium refraction types. Even in Japan where up to now the higher refraction type lenses have been the main stream demand for medium refraction type lenses is growing thanks to fine balance between the cost and quality of product resulting in an increase in demand for medium refraction lenses at a rate of 20% per year. Based on this demand Showa Denko KK (SDK) by early next year will start commercial production of allyl ester resin or otherwise known as SR-21 by its trade name, for use in medium refraction type spectacle lenses. The SR-21, based on company’s proprietary technology has been characterized by its high degree of whiteness in comparison to conventional products. Furthermore, the SR-21 features a high moldability resulting in an improved lens production. SDK’s sales forecast for 2010 is at 2 billion yen which corresponds to40% share of the world market for medium refraction type lenses.
