Dispelix, a leading innovator in diffractive waveguide technology, and Mitsui Chemicals Inc., a globally renowned Japan-based chemical company, are proud to announce their collaboration to advance the development of polymer waveguides for augmented reality (AR) eyewear, using Mitsui Chemicals' Diffrar™ substrates.

The collaboration focuses on developing thin, single-layer, full-color AR waveguide display technology that delivers high optical performance combined with extreme lightness. The displays leverage the unique properties of Diffrar™ polymer wafers to achieve high optical performance and enhanced user comfort.

Dispelix and Mitsui Chemicals showcased the first waveguide display demo unit featuring Diffrar™-based Dispelix waveguide displays at the SPIE AR | VR | MR 2025 event in San Francisco. A single eyepiece without a cover glass weighed just 1.85 grams. The waveguide technology demo was extremely well received by the audience, and both Dispelix and Mitsui Chemicals look forward to further advancing polymer waveguide technology together.

“We are excited to collaborate with Mitsui Chemicals and recognize their remarkable advancements in the quality and performance of polymer substrates,” says Ismo Vartiainen, Chief Technology Officer of Dispelix. “Dispelix is known for its ability to develop high-performance waveguide displays for various near-eye and head-up applications. For some time, only glass substrates have been able to meet the high requirements of consumer and enterprise AR applications. Through our collaboration with Mitsui Chemicals, we are witnessing a level of performance that makes Diffrar™ an excellent option for consumer AR eyewear,” highlights Vartiainen.

Regarding the collaboration, Mitsui Chemicals states “We have been truly impressed by the Dispelix team’s design capabilities and their extensive knowledge on waveguide technology. The speed and accuracy at which they moved from the design stage to the first proof of concept, using mass manufacturing tolerances has been impressive. We are excited to collaborate with Dispelix to bring our advanced Diffrar™ materials to the broader consumer AR market and help drive their industry’s growth. Diffrar™ enables new possibilities for AR eyewear by offering lighter weight and improved safety, expanding the range of suitable materials.”

The collaboration is a milestone in developing high-performance AR waveguides by leveraging the opportunities of polymer substrates. This development promises to enhance the user experience and expand the possibilities of AR.

About Dispelix

Dispelix develops and delivers transparent waveguides for enterprise and consumer augmented reality (AR) devices. Our advanced waveguides function as see-through displays in AR devices, fusing the real and virtual worlds within the user's field of vision. We are a trusted and visionary partner for the industry leaders in AR, enabling them to redefine the form, function, and feel of AR devices.

About Mitsui Chemicals

Mitsui Chemicals is a global specialty chemical company that provides materials to make people's lives better and healthier. Its business portfolio includes Life＆Healthcare Solutions, Mobility Solutions, ICT Solutions, Basic & Green Materials.

Mitsui Chemicals has developed the Diffrar™ array of polymer wafers for waveguides used in augmented reality (AR) glasses, with a view to expand into the augmented and virtual reality markets. Equipped with outstanding optical properties, including a high refractive index of 1.67 or higher and extreme flatness, Diffrar™ optical polymer wafers offer users of AR glasses a wide Field Of View (FOV). In addition, the material being polymer allows Diffrar™ to have greater impact resistance, making devices safer and lighter compared to glass.