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DSM Engineering Materials has announced a partnership with sustainability start-up DiFold to develop foldable, reusable products. The start-up has chosen DSM Engineering Materials’ Arnitel Eco – a bio-based thermoplastic copolyester – to manufacture its flagship Origami foldable water bottle. Adopting Arnitel Eco for its product signifies a step in the right direction as DiFold works towards its goal of reducing the environmental impact of packaging waste. The patented design of DiFold’s Origami Bottle is inspired by the Japanese art of paper folding and can fold down to less than 10% of its original volume, improving user convenience and reducing the carbon footprint of shipping. Arnitel Eco is partially derived from renewable rapeseed oil that delivers a carbon footprint reduction of up to 50% compared with traditional copolyesters. Co-founders of DiFold, Radina Popova and Petar 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.” Pim Janssen, marketing manager for food contact, water contact and appliance markets at DSM Engineering Materials, said: “We are pleased that our services and materials could help DiFold in their mission to minimise the impact of packaging on the environment – a topic which is also close to our hearts. By helping to de-fossilise the value chain, Arnitel Eco contributes to creating a circular economy for materials.” Arnitel Eco is BPA-free and can withstand temperatures of between -30°c and +100°c. It can also be recycled without any loss of quality in the recovered material.