Celion® at FUNK Eyewear Manufactory

At FUNK, we use Celion®, an innovative acetate granulate from the Chilean company Imeko. What makes it special is that Celion is made entirely from cellulose acetate filters from cigarette butts. This transforms a global waste problem into a valuable raw material for spectacle frames.

Imeko has developed a mechanical-chemical technology that enables high-purity recovery of cellulose acetate. The result is a high-quality bioacetate that is phthalate-free and processed exclusively with biodegradable, plant-based plasticisers.

Celion is demonstrably more sustainable: compared to newly produced acetate, its carbon footprint is reduced by around 36%. At the end of its life cycle, the material can be completely recycled, thus supporting a truly circular approach.

The physical and mechanical properties of Celion correspond to those of conventional acetate. Spectacles made from this material offer the same quality, durability and aesthetics. Celion is lightweight, dimensionally stable and can be dyed to a high standard, enabling versatile frame designs.

FUNK is one of the few European companies to manufacture its own acetate sheets from Celion granulate. This in-house process ensures material quality and aesthetics and represents a technological achievement. Converting the granulate into homogeneous sheets requires specific expertise and adapted processes to ensure optimal material properties for spectacle frames.

With Celion and our experience in sheet production, we are actively contributing to the circular economy. The result is a material that combines ecological responsibility, technical performance and aesthetic quality, paving the way for the next generation of sustainable eyewear fashion.