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Blueseventy Launches World’s Lightest Competitive Swimming Goggle

29 Mar 2010

New Carbon Race™ Goggles, with Frames Molded of Carbon Fiber-Filled Polyamide from Teknor Apex UK, Weigh 12 to 15% Less than Comparable Conventional Goggles

OLDBURY, WEST MIDLANDS, UK, March 29, 2010: The first use of carbon fiber reinforcement for the frames of swimming goggles has made it possible to cut weight, reduce the drag, and improve the comfort of this critical piece of equipment used by athletes in swimming, triathlon, and other high-performance competitions. 

The new goggles, called Carbon Race™, were introduced this month by blueseventy®.  Blue Fuzion Group, based in Oldbury, West Midlands, developed the goggles from carbon fiber-reinforced polyamide compound.

Until now, the industry used polycarbonate for the frames of its goggles, but the carbon fiber-reinforced compound proved to be much lighter and stronger.

Neil McConnochie, Managing Director of the Blue Fuzion Group said: “Polycarbonate not only weighs more but is nowhere near as strong as the carbon fiber reinforced polyamide. The added strength enabled us to reduce the thickness of the frame, especially in areas such as the nose bridge and the strap. Compared with a similar style of goggle, our new Carbon Race product is 12 to 15% lighter than a comparative conventional construction.”

The frames are streamlined to reduce drag and polycarbonate lenses provide wrap-around vision with secure, cushioned fit against the face. 

The goggles are the product of a two-year development program to achieve exceptional aquadynamics whilst saving weight.

Steve Nicholls, CEO of blueseventy® commented: “Our goal was to produce something that was simply unique and stand alone in the category of swimming goggles. blueseventy has a reputation for making high quality and innovative products and this is a world first in goggle technology.”

Editors notes:

Founded in 1993, blueseventy® designs, tests, and refines products for competitive swimmers, including wet suits, swimskins, goggles, and accessories. The company is based in Napier, New Zealand. Blue Fuzion Group, headquartered in Hong Kong, is the development, sourcing, and supply chain facilitator for blueseventy. Visit http://www.blueseventy.com.

The ENGINEERING THERMOPLASTICS DIVISION of Teknor Apex Company, also known as CHEM POLYMER, is an international supplier to the transportation, consumer product, and industrial markets. It produces reinforced and specially modified compounds of polyamide 6, 6/6, 6/10, and 6/12 under the Chemlon® and Beeetle® brands.  Founded in 1965, Chem Polymer was acquired by Teknor Apex in 2004. TEKNOR APEX COMPANY is a privately held firm with seven business units and 2,000 employees.  It is headquartered in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, U.S.A., manufactures at 12 locations in the U.S. and overseas, and sells in 86 countries, serving markets in the plastics and chemical industries. Visit http://www.teknorapex.com 

FOR MORE INFORMATION:  Americas: Teknor Apex Company, 505 Central Avenue, Pawtucket, RI 02861 U.S.A.  Tel:1-401-725-8000. Tel. from U.S. only: 1-800-237-3167. E-mail: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).  Europe: Teknor Apex UK Ltd., Tat Bank Road, Oldbury, West Midlands B69 4NH, UK.  Tel: 44-121-665-2105. Fax: 44-121-544-5530. Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).  Asia: Singapore Polymer Corporation, 41 Shipyard Road, Singapore 628134.  Tel: 65-6265-2544.  Fax: 65-6265-1821.  Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).