Mitsubishi Chemical’s DURABIO adopted by ALBION for Excia compact cases

Key highlights
  • DURABIO, a bio-engineering plastic made primarily from plant-derived isosorbide, is used in compact cases for ALBION’s Excia Eye Color Volonte collection launching November 1, 2026.
  • DURABIO is combined with other transparent resins (e.g., PET) and shaped by injection molding to produce pearlescent, seashell-like textures and depth that change with viewing angle and lighting.
  • DURABIO offers high transparency, strong optical properties, weather resistance and mechanical durability.
  • DURABIO’s durability helps offset the usual loss of robustness and increased cracking risk when different resins are mixed, supporting both design and strength.

Adoption

Mitsubishi Chemical’s DURABIO™—a bio-engineering plastic produced primarily from plant-derived isosorbide—has been selected for the compact cases of "Excia Eye Color Volonte," part of ALBION’s Excia Makeup Collection, available for a limited time from November 1, 2026.

Design approach

The compact cases are produced by combining DURABIO with other transparent resins such as PET and using injection molding. Differences in optical properties between the resins generate pearlescent effects, while controlled flow during molding creates patterns that resemble natural seashells and produce a sense of depth that shifts with viewing angle and lighting.

Material performance

DURABIO delivers high transparency and favorable optical characteristics alongside weather resistance and mechanical durability. Those properties mitigate the typical reduction in robustness and the increased cracking risk that can arise when dissimilar resins are mixed, enabling both the intended aesthetic and structural requirements for the cases.

Outlook

Mitsubishi Chemical says it will continue to pursue broader applications for DURABIO to provide additional high-value solutions to customers.

Source: Mitsubishi Chemical

chemXplore Weekly

The week’s project milestones and project news from the chemical industry, free every Wednesday.

Free. One email a week. Unsubscribe any time.

Related articles

16 June 2026
Mitsubishi Chemical’s DURABIO chosen for Audi Q3 door switch inserts

Selected for single-component door switch panels in the new Audi Q3, offering three textures, mold-in-color piano black and reduced painting, VOCs and CO₂ emissions.

13 January 2026
Mitsubishi Chemical's DURABIO Plastic Used in Dongfeng Nissan Teana AI Speaker

DURABIO, a plant-based plastic, enhances the Teana's AI speaker with superior transparency, optical properties, and durability, creating a dynamic car interior.

17 December 2025
Mitsubishi Chemical's DURABIO Used in Honda's New EV

DURABIO, a bio-based plastic, is used in Honda's N-ONE e: EV for its transparency, durability, and reduced VOC emissions, eliminating the need for a coating process.

25 July 2025
Mitsubishi Chemical Exits Polyester Resin for Printer Toner Business

Due to declining demand and rising costs, the polyester resin for printer toner business will cease production by March 2026 and sales by June 2026.