Kering Eyewear, part of Kering Group, has announced a partnership with Bio-on to develop new materials based on Minerv PHA, a bioplastic naturally occurring as a result of the bacterial fermentation of sugar. Bio-on is an Intellectual Property Company (IPC) based in Bologna, Italy with the option of granting licenses worldwide. Bio-on said the partnership with Kering Eyewear marks the first time an eyewear company has decided to carry out research with its biopolymers. Researchers from the two companies will collaborate to design, certify and market new eco-sustainable materials to be used along with cellulose acetate, a material which is widely used in eyewear production. Bio-On has developed an exclusive process for the production of a family of polymers called PHAs (polyhydroxyalkanoates) from agricultural waste. The bioplastic produced by Bio-on in this way is said to offer the same thermo-mechanical properties as conventional plastics, while being fully natural and biodegradable. Kering Eyewear designs, develops and distributes eyewear for a portfolio of 15 brands including Gucci, Cartier, Stella McCartney, Brioni, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Alexander McQueen, Altuzarra, Azzedine Alaïa, Boucheron, Pomellato, Puma, McQ, Christopher Kane, and Tomas Maier.