Page 95 - Nov- Dec 2024

TIO: Sustainability is an
NARASIMHAN
NARAYANAN increasing priority for many
industries, including optics.
How does EssilorLuxottica
incorporate eco-friendly
practices in its product
developments? In what ways do
these initiatives influence both
product design and marketing?

NN: Sustainability is at
the heart of what we do as a
company. We have an overall
integrated approach aptly
termed as ‘Eyes on the Planet”.
As part of this, through “Eyes
on Circularity”, our goal is to
shift from virgin fossil-based
materials to bio-based and
recycled materials and embed
eco-design in all our product
developments by 2025. This has
already made a lot of progress
over the years. We embed
to supporting Nikon in pushing the boundaries of Innovation, sustainable innovation in all our
Superior Quality and services offered to our consumers. products and services to meet
the Company’s environmental
TIO: How will the integration of Nikon Lenses align with commitments without
EssilorLuxottica's long-term vision for growth in the eyewear and compromising on quality,
lens industry? What strategic advantages does this acquisition and always guaranteeing the
offer in terms of expanding your market position?
best vision experience. These
NN: Nikon has been a partner of EssilorLuxottica for nearly principles inspire our circular
a quarter of a century, a partnership renowned for its technical approach which encompasses
prowess in high precision optics and light mastery. Both the entire product life cycle.
companies have an established track record of path breaking
Optical Technologies – whether its Essilor with over 170 years of The activities span from
R&D and pioneering innovations like world’s first progressive sourcing and researching
lenses, or whether its Nikon with state-of-the-art camera lens new innovative materials,
technologies being made available to spectacle lenses. With developing internal recycling
increasing synergies, investments and collaborations, I expect processes, reducing input
we will see more product innovations meeting even the most materials, to favouring eco-
nuanced of consumer needs. Our consumers are very discerning conscious designs and investing
and aspire for the best technologies and brands, which is backed in new technologies. This
by a steady increase in their purchasing power. Nikon, with its is also to satisfy customer
focus on technology and consumer experience, is well positioned preferences and demand for
to occupy this premium position that probably no other brand can more sustainable products
do as effectively. We will strategically expand distribution while and packaging. We are also
maintaining the premium position of Nikon lenses, and continue implementing circular services
to invest in enriched and innovative marketing concepts enabling to extend product life or give
our trade partners to serve our consumer’s evolving needs. products a second life.

INTERVIEW THE INDIAN OPTICIAN | NOV-DEC 2024 | 89