DSM and DiFold Develop Foldable Reusable Bottles

DSM Engineering has partnered with Bulgarian startup DiFold on the development of injection-molded foldable products.  Specifically, Difold selected DSM’s Arnitel Eco biobased thermoplastic 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 – greatly improving user convenience and reducing the carbon footprint of shipping. The Origami Bottle is said to provide a durable, reusable, and recyclable alternative to single-use water bottles.

As previously reported, Arnitel Eco is a biobased thermoplastic copolyester, partially derived from renewable rapeseed oil. This significantly reduces the material’s cradle-to-gate 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 DiFold cofounders Radina Popova and Petar Zaharinov, circularity and durability were the key factors to consider when choosing a material for their unique product. They wanted a biobased material that could be recycled, as well as having the specific mechanical properties required by the folding design, and found that Anrnitel Eco reportedly offers the perfect balance of elasticity, plasticity, and circularity.