FASHION & ACCESSORIES
BBASE
bbase Design Group is a visionary leader in the eyewear industry, merging sustainability, innovation, and global collaboration. Its core activities include designing and manufacturing fashion-forward, sustainable eyewear solutions for global brands and retailers. The company pioneers initiatives such as incubbase, an educational platform integrating sustainable design principles into fashion education, and the BOW Index, a tool for benchmarking recycled and bio-based materials in eyewear production. With a strong focus on purpose-driven design and environmental consciousness, bbase strives to redefine the eyewear industry's role in fostering a sustainable and inclusive future.
SUSTAINABILITY PURPOSE
bbase Design Group is redefining sustainability in the eyewear industry through innovation, circularity, and responsible sourcing. It integrates sustainable materials, transparent supply chains, and carbon reduction initiatives into its core business. The BOW Index, launched in 2020, provides a comparative analysis of sustainable eyewear materials, helping brands make informed material choices. bbase’s procurement strategy prioritises traceability, material innovation, and supplier accountability. Through Inspectorio, over 65% of sourced materials are certified sustainable, and more than 45% of eyewear frames now incorporate recycled or bio-based content. Annual supplier audits ensure ESG compliance, while sustainability and responsible sourcing drive continuous improvements across design, production, and sales. Furthering waste reduction, bb_LAB, launched in 2021, has minimised material waste through precise 3D printing, enabling the reuse of recyclable materials. In 2022, bb_verse was introduced to reduce carbon emissions by facilitating virtual product showcases, eliminating the need for excessive sampling and travel. By fostering collaboration, transparency, and responsible innovation, bbase is setting new industry standards and driving meaningful, long-term impact.
Established
2003
Headquarters
Hong Kong
First Certified
2025
Employees
50-100
Product Category
Eyewear
Website
Distribution
US, UK, EU, APAC
REAL CHANGE IN ACTION
PACKAGING
bbase has implemented a comprehensive strategy to enhance the sustainability of its packaging solutions. The company has conducted a formal assessment of its packaging designs and materials to identify opportunities for reducing environmental impact. Key elements of the strategy include minimising the use of plastics, increasing the percentage of recyclable materials, and introducing a detailed packaging fabrics code system. This innovative code system provides transparency by indicating the material composition of the packaging, its origin, and whether it is recyclable, biodegradable, organic, or composed of man-made, cellulose, mixed, or natural materials. By taking these proactive steps, bbase is committed to driving sustainable innovation and empowering its partners to make more environmentally responsible choices.
CIRCULARITY & SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION
bbase has a drive for sustainable innovation, with circularity as one of its three core pillars of sustainability. The company is embracing cutting-edge 3D and digital technologies to drive rapid prototyping and reduce the production of physical samples, significantly lowering material waste. Their vision is to harness tech innovation to create smarter, more sustainable processes. As part of their commitment to circularity, bbase has introduced a Circular Alliance Plan that focuses on reusing material waste within a closed-loop system, helping to prevent landfill pollution and reduce carbon emissions. Additionally, the company is exploring opportunities to resell and repurpose materials, further enhancing their sustainability efforts.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
bbase demonstrates a strong drive to boost community engagement and positive impact within the eyewear industry. Through the creation of Incubbase, a space focused on curiosity, creativity, and collaboration, efforts are directed toward teaching, mentoring, and sharing knowledge. By partnering with clients, NGOs, universities, and industry affiliates with aligned missions, Incubbase supports the development of passion projects that benefit the industry and its future leaders. Programs are designed to nurture young design talent, provide educational opportunities, and promote sustainability, helping to foster a more responsible and innovative industry. Additionally, bbase has developed an internal volunteer policy which further reinforces this commitment, granting staff nine hours annually to engage in volunteering efforts. These initiatives emphasise a focus on community empowerment and meaningful contributions to the sector.
SUSTAINABLE PROCUREMENT
bbase is committed to advancing sustainable procurement through innovative strategies and partnerships. They have developed a Sustainable Supplier Plan consisting of four phases to identify and collaborate with key suppliers. This approach evaluates suppliers based on their relationships, sustainable practices, goals, and objectives, using a scoring system to rank the most valuable partners. Additionally, bbase has created The Bow Index, a responsible materials index for eyewear. This ongoing initiative provides deeper insights into sustainable eyewear materials available on the market. By conducting a comparative analysis across categories such as traceability, efficiency, and lifespan, The Bow Index promotes informed decision-making and drives progress toward more sustainable material choices. Through these efforts, bbase is setting a new standard for responsible procurement in the eyewear industry.
bbase has implemented a comprehensive strategy to enhance the sustainability of its packaging solutions. The company has conducted a formal assessment of its packaging designs and materials to identify opportunities for reducing environmental impact. Key elements of the strategy include minimising the use of plastics, increasing the percentage of recyclable materials, and introducing a detailed packaging fabrics code system. This innovative code system provides transparency by indicating the material composition of the packaging, its origin, and whether it is recyclable, biodegradable, organic, or composed of man-made, cellulose, mixed, or natural materials. By taking these proactive steps, bbase is committed to driving sustainable innovation and empowering its partners to make more environmentally responsible choices.
bbase has a drive for sustainable innovation, with circularity as one of its three core pillars of sustainability. The company is embracing cutting-edge 3D and digital technologies to drive rapid prototyping and reduce the production of physical samples, significantly lowering material waste. Their vision is to harness tech innovation to create smarter, more sustainable processes. As part of their commitment to circularity, bbase has introduced a Circular Alliance Plan that focuses on reusing material waste within a closed-loop system, helping to prevent landfill pollution and reduce carbon emissions. Additionally, the company is exploring opportunities to resell and repurpose materials, further enhancing their sustainability efforts.
bbase demonstrates a strong drive to boost community engagement and positive impact within the eyewear industry. Through the creation of Incubbase, a space focused on curiosity, creativity, and collaboration, efforts are directed toward teaching, mentoring, and sharing knowledge. By partnering with clients, NGOs, universities, and industry affiliates with aligned missions, Incubbase supports the development of passion projects that benefit the industry and its future leaders. Programs are designed to nurture young design talent, provide educational opportunities, and promote sustainability, helping to foster a more responsible and innovative industry. Additionally, bbase has developed an internal volunteer policy which further reinforces this commitment, granting staff nine hours annually to engage in volunteering efforts. These initiatives emphasise a focus on community empowerment and meaningful contributions to the sector.
bbase is committed to advancing sustainable procurement through innovative strategies and partnerships. They have developed a Sustainable Supplier Plan consisting of four phases to identify and collaborate with key suppliers. This approach evaluates suppliers based on their relationships, sustainable practices, goals, and objectives, using a scoring system to rank the most valuable partners. Additionally, bbase has created The Bow Index, a responsible materials index for eyewear. This ongoing initiative provides deeper insights into sustainable eyewear materials available on the market. By conducting a comparative analysis across categories such as traceability, efficiency, and lifespan, The Bow Index promotes informed decision-making and drives progress toward more sustainable material choices. Through these efforts, bbase is setting a new standard for responsible procurement in the eyewear industry.
A WORD FROM THE CO-FOUNDER & CEO
At bbase, sustainability isn’t a choice – it’s a responsibility. As real changemakers in fashion, we believe the eyewear industry has the power to set a new standard for responsible design, but that requires innovation, accountability, and an unwavering commitment to doing better. It’s not just about minimising impact, it’s about creating a system where sustainability is embedded in every stage – design, production, and beyond. The future of this industry depends on our willingness to lead with intention, challenge outdated norms, and drive real, systemic change. Sustainability isn’t just a benchmark to reach, it must be the foundation of everything we create.
JO BLACK
CO-FOUNDER & CEO
WHY POSITIVE LUXURY
For bbase Design Group, sustainability is a commitment about continuous innovation, accountability and real impact. As the first supplier to receive Butterfly Mark Certification from Positive Luxury, bbase joins global luxury brands and retailers in setting the highest standards for sustainability, ensuring accountability at every level. This certification serves as both a benchmark and a motivator, pushing the company to refine processes, enhance transparency, and drive real impact. By aligning with Positive Luxury’s rigorous ESG+ framework, bbase strengthens its role as a real changemaker in fashion, leading the eyewear industry toward a more sustainable future.
JO BLACK
CO-FOUNDER & CEO
PATHWAY TO HIGHER STANDARDS
bbase Design Group continues to push the boundaries of sustainability, focusing on material innovation, circularity, and carbon reduction. The company is expanding the Bow Index, further refining its benchmarking of sustainable materials to accelerate industry-wide adoption of recycled and bio-based alternatives. In addition, bbase is working towards increasing the use of recycled materials to 78% by 2026, launching a closed-loop eyewear recycling program by 2028, and expanding Scope 3 carbon measurement in 2025 to track full supply chain emissions. With plans to implement renewable energy solutions across all Tier 1 production facilities by 2026, bbase remains committed to transparency, collaboration, and innovation, ensuring a more responsible and future-forward eyewear industry.