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Moulding the front
A steel mould is cut for each frame shape. GRS-certified recycled plastic granulate is fed into the machine, melted, pressed into the mould, and ejected straight into cold water to set.
Our Craftmanship
ECO SHADES is a Danish family business, founded by father and son, Claus and Jonas Brandenborg. We build sunglasses the way optical frames are built, because that is the trade we came from.
Thirty years in optics
We did not come to sunglasses from the fashion industry. We came from the optical industry, with more than 30 years behind us. That is where the standards on this page come from: 5-barrel hinges, metal cores, friction-lock screws. Components normally specified for high-end optical frames rather than affordable sunglasses.
What we make
Frames shaped from GRS-certified recycled plastics and hand-polished to optical standards. Lenses in rPMMA, a 100% recycled optical acrylic, fully UV400 and certified to international safety standards. The components of an optical frame, in the design and colours of contemporary sunglasses.
Why we do it this way
Most sunglasses at this price are built to be replaced. We would rather build something that can be adjusted, serviced and worn for years. Timeless designs you actually want to wear, made the right way, season after season.
From granulate to finished pair
The Process
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Tumbling
Fronts go into a drum filled with fine stones, which grinds back the last of the moulding marks and softens every edge.
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Polishing
The surface is hand-polished to optical standards, until the finish is even across the whole front.
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Moulding the temples
Temples are moulded around a stainless steel core, so the core is integrated into the structure rather than pushed in afterwards.
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Trimming the temples
Each temple leaves the mould with a small crater where the material entered. It is cut away by hand, and the temple is then polished like the fronts.
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Setting the hinges
The copper 5-barrel hinge is set into the front.
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Assembly
Front and temples are brought together and screwed into place with friction-lock screws. The nylon patch on each screw grips the thread, so the hinge holds its tension without glue.
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Washing
The assembled frames are washed free of the dust left by grinding and polishing, then dried.
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Printing
Model name and size are printed on the inside of the temple.
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Cutting and engraving the lenses
Each lens is ground to the exact shape of its model, and the logo is laser-engraved into it.
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Fitting the lenses
Lenses are fitted into the front by hand.
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Final adjustment
Each pair is adjusted so the frame sits level and the temples close evenly.
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Quality check
Every pair is checked before it goes anywhere near a box.
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Packing
Packed into recycled packaging: an rPET pouch, an envelope case made from recycled EVA, and a recycled cardboard box.
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