SHEICO’S BIO-Based Foam Transforms Wetsuits To Become 100% Neoprene Free
2023-11-28 Related linkBoardsport SOURCE, the b2b media platform for the European boardsports industry, interviewed Jeff Shiue, the Director of Sales at SHEICO Group, about SHEICO's new material, named OCENA.
“OCENA is a new foam crafted by Sheico using FSC-certified natural rubber and is completely Neoprene-free. Enriched with oyster shell powder and soybean oil, OCENA’s bio-based materials are USDA-certified. What’s more, OCENA contains recycled carbon black derived from scrap tires, utilizing Eco-Infinic pyrolysis technology. OCENA is the new gold standard for eco-friendly foam in the wetsuit industry.
Drawing upon Sheico’s 40+ years of foaming expertise, our aim is to create a natural rubber foam comparable in performance to Neoprene. With OCENA, we’ve achieved Neoprene-level standards in elasticity and durability, making it ideal for wetsuits used in surfing and diving activities. Based on our current tests, OCENA is not only suitable for surfing and diving wetsuits but also ideal for water-related accessories such as hoods and gloves.
In response to the growing environmental consciousness around the world, we actively develop eco-friendly materials like Aqua α (water-based laminating glue), sustainable fabrics, and OCENA, a Neoprene alternative. More importantly. Sheico ensures quality and performance by carefully controlling each step of the vertically integrated production process, allowing us to meet the standards of even the most demanding brands.”