Tokyo – Mitsui Chemicals has teamed up with Artnature to produce more eco-friendly custom-made wigs. The wig moulds will be made using bio-based thermoplastic polyurethane.
Custom wigs are designed to fit a person’s head precisely. First, the head is scanned using a 3D scanner, and the TPU trimmed to make a mould that precisely reflects its shape. The material was selected because of its dimensional stability and the fact that it is easy to trim.
Next, the cap that forms the base of the wig is fabricated to fit the shape of the mould. Finally, hairs are added, producing a finished wig that is customised to fit the wearer’s head.
Previously, petroleum-based TPU was used to make the moulds. The companies said that switching to a bio-based alternative reduces both the quantity of waste and volume of CO2 emissions on incineration. The material is derived from castor oil, with a 20% biomass content. It is expected to cut waste by 12T, and CO2 emissions by 70T a year – about half of current levels, Mitsui said.
