PPG TRIVEX lens material outperforms polycarbonate in impact resistance and optical clarity, new study shows

HOYA PHOENIX lenses made from PPG TRIVEX lens material show less damage in impact testing

PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- PPG (NYSE:PPG) today announced the results of tests carried out in collaboration with HOYA Vision Care to compare the performance of PPG TRIVEX® lens material to polycarbonate across multiple optical and durability categories. The data showed that HOYA PHOENIX® lenses made with PPG Trivex lens material exhibited less damage during impact testing, lighter weight, higher optical clarity and better chemical resistance than comparable polycarbonate lenses.

Recent data shows that HOYA PHOENIX® lenses made with PPG TRIVEX® lens material exhibited less damage during impact testing, are lighter weight, provide higher optical clarity and better chemical resistance than polycarbonate lenses.

The research was designed to test the impact performance of PPG Trivex lens material against polycarbonate, a popular lens material used in prescription eyeglasses. Data on other attributes, including weight, chemical resistance and key optical data such as Abbe value and birefringence was compiled from earlier research. The findings provide a scientific basis for eye care professionals to recommend HOYA Phoenix lenses made with PPG Trivex lens material as a high-performing alternative to polycarbonate.

“Today’s patients have high expectations for their eyewear,” said Raymond Hudack, PPG global business director, optical monomers and coatings, Specialty Products. “Lenses must be able to offer lightweight comfort, exceptional optical clarity and protection from everyday wear and tear. PPG Trivex lens material sets the bar for high-performance lenses, giving eyecare professionals an opportunity to differentiate their practice with a proven solution.”

Polycarbonate and PPG Trivex lens materials are both classified as high-impact materials under key ANSI Z87.1 and FDA industry standards. However, standard Gardner impact tests showed that polycarbonate received irreversible dimpling damage under high impact forces. The HOYA Phoenix lenses made with PPG Trivex lens material showed minimal surface blemishes at the same impact, demonstrating improved performance for demanding environments such as sports and industrial eyewear.

PPG Trivex lens material demonstrates exceptional optical clarity due to its high Abbe value, a measure of the optical quality of a lens and how well it controls color distortion. This reduces the “rainbow blur” that can appear around the edges of lenses, ensuring consistent sharpness across the entire lens. The cast-molding production process further enhances clarity by reducing birefringence, a phenomenon where stress inside the lens bends light in different directions, causing blurriness or distortion. Together, these properties ensure uniform clarity across the lens surface.

In chemical resistance testing, PPG Trivex lens material remained stable under prolonged exposure to lab solvents, while polycarbonate lenses showed visible surface damage and whitening. These advantages translate to crisp, clear optics, lightweight comfort and enhanced durability for long-lasting performance and improved patient satisfaction.

“For more than two decades, PPG and HOYA Vision Care have worked together to bring best-in-class optical materials to market,” said Samy Lauriette, HOYA vice president, strategic marketing. “The latest testing underscores our shared commitment to innovation and evidence-based design. As optical materials advance, practitioners have more choices to select materials that optimize patient outcomes and improve lens durability. For eye care professionals, this means access to lenses that not only meet the highest standards of durability and clarity but also support better patient outcomes and offer a compelling way to differentiate their practice.”

To learn more about the test results, read the white paper from HOYA Vision Care and PPG here.

*Impact resistant lenses are neither shatterproof nor unbreakable. Coatings may alter the impact resistance of any lens material.

About HOYA Corporation

Founded in 1941 in Tokyo, Japan, HOYA is a global technology and med-tech company, and a leading supplier of innovative high-tech and medical products. HOYA is active in the fields of healthcare and information technology, providing eyeglasses, medical endoscopes, intraocular lenses, optical lenses, as well as key components for semiconductor devices, LCD panels and HDDs. With over 150 offices and subsidiaries worldwide, HOYA currently employs a multinational workforce of over 35,000 people. For more information, please visit www.hoya.com.

About HOYA Vision Care

For over 60 years, HOYA Vision Care has been a global leader in the eyeglass lens industry. The company is dedicated to providing innovative vision care solutions for every stage of a patient's life. With a presence in over 50 countries, HOYA Vision Care has a leading position in myopia management category and a proven expertise in advanced lens designs, high performance photochromic technologies and high-quality AR coatings. HOYA Vision Care's solid market portfolio includes HOYA, Vision Ease, SEIKO and PENTAX optical lenses, as well as innovative products such as MiYOSMART myopia control lenses for children, Hoyalux iD MySelf individualized progressive lenses and the Sensity range of photochromic lenses. The company employs over 20,000 employees worldwide with large scale production facilities in Asia, Europe, and the US and 38 local Rx laboratories globally. For more information, please visit www.hoyavision.com.

PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD®

At PPG (NYSE:PPG), we work every day to develop and deliver the paints, coatings and specialty materials that our customers have trusted for more than 140 years. Through dedication and creativity, we solve our customers’ biggest challenges, collaborating closely to find the right path forward. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, we operate and innovate in more than 70 countries and reported net sales of $15.8 billion in 2024. We serve customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets and aftermarkets. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com.

Trivex, the PPG logo and We protect and beautify the world are registered trademarks of PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.

The HOYA logo and Phoenix are registered trademarks of HOYA Corporation.

CATEGORY Optical Products

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250826825923/en/

Media Contacts:

Brande Juart

PPG

+1 724 325 5203

juart@ppg.com

www.ppgoptical.com

Cherie Gifford

HOYA

+1 972 221 4141

cherie.gifford@hoya.com

www.hoyavision.us

Source: PPG