
Mitsui Chemicals has moved into direct competition with Essilor, having acquired Corning’s SunSensors operations, which provides technology used to make the SunSensors brand of plastic photochromic lenses.Mitsui Chemicals, a major supplier of high-index plastic lens materials, said it intends to aggressively develop and sell competitive new photochromic lens materials.
“Our expertise in monomer technology coupled with Corning’s expertise in dye technology allows us an opportunity to reinvigorate the brand,” said Woody Muire, marketing manager of Mitsui Chemicals, America.
Mitsui Chemicals offers high to low refractive index ophthalmic lens material and coatings including the widely used MR series of thin, light and durable high-index plastic materials.
Corning pioneered photochromic glass lenses with the launch of its Photogray line in 1968. The company launched the SunSensors brand in the late 1990s.