Covestro develops extremely impact-resistant polycarbonate
Eye injuries in the workplace are a serious occupational hazard and can have significant consequences for both employees and employers. Each day, more than 2000 workers in the United States alone suffer job-related eye injuries and require medical treatment. The American Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) estimates the cost of eye injuries (lost production time, medical expenses, worker compensation) to be more than USD 300 million per year
Covestro has developed an extremely impact-resistant polycarbonate for protecting the eyes of workers. Lenses made of Makrolon® 3207 are lightweight and as transparent as glass, thus satisfying the strict requirements of MCR Safety, an American supplier of personal protective equipment. The Crews Glasses and US Safety series of safety glasses and face shields from MCR Safety are also certified according to the American ANSI Z871.1 standard.
Lenses made of the Covestro plastic are industrial bulletproof. These passed tests with 45 gr. solid steel bullets fired at the lenses at speeds of 150 until 400 feet per second. Such extreme test conditions are necessary in order to cover all of the loads that could possibly occur during routine work and lead to eye injuries: falling or flying objects, sparks, metal slivers, wood chips, nails or contact with harmful substances.
MCR Safety has developed its new USS Defense safety glasses primarily for the tightened product safety laws in Asia, where the glasses are also produced. “MCR Safety has more than 40 years of experience in setting industry standards where personal protective equipment is concerned, and this time we were looking for a world class product and a partner that could deliver it,” said David Smith, Product Manager at MCR Safety. “These goggles are tough, offer premium optical quality and impact resistance, plus offer good UV protection.”
Paul Lin, Covestro Polycarbonate Key Account Manager Taiwan, added: “Another advantage of Makrolon® 3207 is the high design freedom. This allows for thinner lenses and thus greater comfort with lower production costs.”
With 2014 sales of EUR 11.8 billion, Covestro is among the world’s largest polymer companies. Business activities are focused on the manufacture of high-tech polymer materials and the development of innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, electrical and electronics, construction and sports and leisure industries. Covestro, formerly Bayer MaterialScience, has 30 production sites worldwide and employs approximately 15700 people (calculated as full-time equivalents) at the end of September 2015.