Press release

Singapore, SG, 12 Jun 2017 17:00 CEST

Royal Envalior, a global science-based company active in health, nutrition and materials, says fledgling Chinese camera maker YI Technology has chosen Arnitel® high performance thermoplastic elastomer for the hand grip on its new mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, the M1.

The M1 lightweight camera, which weighs just 280g, received praise from reviewers on its introduction late last year for its simple controls - buttons have been almost entirely replaced by a touchscreen interface in the style of smartphones - and its ease of handling. The Arnitel grip makes the camera very comfortable to hold and ensures that it does not slip in the hand when the user takes the shot. YI Technology is keen to attract customers currently taking their pictures on their phones, and who want to upgrade their photographic skills.

This is the first time that Arnitel has been used for a digital camera grip, but it has already achieved considerable success among electronics companies producing wearable devices. Arnitel is broadly used for straps and also for smartphone covers, for example. It is also ideal for two-component moldings, where it provides protection and excellent aesthetics, and where its excellent bondability with polycarbonate can be a key advantage. In fact, the grip for the M1 camera is itself a two-component product, combining Arnitel with a PC/ABS blend.

In all cases, specifiers are taking advantage of the superior touch and feel offered by Arnitel, the fact that it does not cause skin irritation or allergies (the polymer is certified to USP and ISO standards covering biocompatibility of devices), its resistance to perspiration and to skincare oils and other liquids, and its inherent high resistance to the sun’s UV rays - as well as its ease of processing in high volumes via injection molding. Arnitel can be used in overmolded structures with other thermoplastics such as ABS and thermoplastic polyesters as well as polycarbonate. It is fully recyclable.

Hou Shuangquan, camera product director at YI Technology, says: “We really appreciate this material and we are looking forward to further cooperation with Envalior.” YI uses a black version of Arnitel on two models of the M1, the Storm Black version and the Ice Silver. Envalior is currently developing a white grade of Arnitel for products that YI intends to bring to market in the coming months.

Envalior and YI Technology worked closely together on the development of the hand grip for the M1. Envalior provided rapid-response local support, backed up by its research and product development operations in Europe and China. “With the Envalior team in China, we can take development projects forward very quickly and accelerate time-to-market for our customers,” says Martin Chen, Marketing Manager Electronics at Envalior.

“We have a lot of highly motivated and innovative people here who can see the potential for Arnitel, and who in this new project have been able to build on the success we have had with wearables, and translate it into a win for YI Technology with a grip for its exciting new camera.”