Why We Haven’t Switched to Eco Resin Yet (And What’s Changing)
If you’ve been looking at resin furniture or homeware, you’ve probably come across terms like eco resin, bio resin, or plant-based resin.
And if you’ve found us through that search, you’re likely asking the same question we get all the time:
Why doesn’t Oceanic Woodstore use eco resin yet?
Here’s the honest answer.
What is eco resin?
Eco resin (sometimes called bio resin) is designed to reduce reliance on fossil fuels by using plant-based materials in its formula.
Depending on the product, this can include:
- plant oils (like soy or corn)
- recycled content
- lower VOC formulations
But here’s the part that often gets missed:
Most eco resins are not 100% natural.
Many still contain a significant percentage of traditional petrochemicals. The “eco” label usually means partially bio-based, not fully.
That’s not a problem in itself. But it does mean you need to look beyond the label.
Why we haven’t switched (yet)
We’ve tested a range of eco and bio resins over time.
Some are promising. But most still fall short in key areas.
1. Durability matters more than labels
If a product doesn’t last, it isn’t sustainable.
Some early eco resins:
- scratched more easily
- yellowed faster over time
- struggled with heat or UV exposure
For pieces designed to live in your home for years, that’s not good enough.
2. Finish and clarity still need work
Our work relies on a clean, glass-like finish.
In testing, some eco resins:
- cured slightly cloudy
- showed micro-bubbles
- didn’t level as cleanly
That affects the final look. And we won’t compromise on that.
3. Not all “eco” claims are equal
This is the biggest issue.
Some products are marketed as eco-friendly, but:
- only contain a small percentage of bio-based content
- still rely heavily on petrochemicals
- don’t clearly state their full composition
We’re not interested in switching just for the sake of saying we have.
What we’re doing behind the scenes
We’re not standing still.
We’re actively testing newer generation bio resins as they hit the market.
And the gap is closing.
Recent developments are showing:
- higher plant-based content
- improved UV resistance
- better clarity and curing performance
That’s a big shift from even a year ago.
When will we switch to eco resin?
We’re close. But we’re not rushing it.
Before we fully commit, any resin we use needs to meet three standards:
1. Long-term durability
It needs to last for years without degrading.
2. High-quality finish
It must match the visual standard you expect from our work.
3. Genuine environmental improvement
It needs to be meaningfully better — not just better marketing.
If it ticks all three, we’ll switch.
The bigger picture
Sustainability isn’t just about materials.
It’s about:
- making products that last
- reducing waste over time
- choosing quality over quick wins
A poorly performing “eco” product that needs replacing sooner creates more impact, not less.
That’s why we’re taking our time.
Where we stand now
We’re in active trials. We’re speaking with suppliers. And we’re seeing real progress.
There are now eco resin options that are getting very close to what we need.
When we make the switch, we’ll be clear about:
- what we’re using
- why we chose it
- and what it actually contains
No vague claims. No greenwashing.
Just honest materials and well-made pieces.
Searching for eco resin furniture or sustainable resin products?
We get why it matters.
And we’re working towards it — properly.
— Oceanic Woodstore
