Fuji Xerox Co. of Japan announced on July 5, 2007, that it has developed a biomass plastic, with technological cooperation from Fujifilm Corp., which contains more than 30 percent plant-derived material (corn) by weight---an industry first. Fuji Xerox plans to introduce components made from this plastic in new products, which it projects will result in about a 16 percent reduction in CO2 emissions compared to emissions caused by the production of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) resin currently in use.

The adoption of biomass plastic in components or products requires balancing a specific level of flame resistance and impact strength, which tends to result in lowering the proportion of biomass plastic by overall weight compared to that of flame retardant and oil-based fortifier.

The company sought to reduce CO2 emissions by raising the proportion of plant-derived material, so their first attempt resulted in achieving a ratio of a little more than 25 percent of the material by weight. Subsequently, they continued to develop their "recipe" and were able to slash the amount of flame retardant to less than half the normal level. This enabled the company to increase the proportion of plant-derived material to more than 30 percent of overall weight, as well as enhancing impact resistance and wet heat resistance.

As the first known development of biomass resin adapted for use in electromechanical parts, this will make it possible to substitute conventional plastic (ABS resin) with bio-plastic in higher performance parts.

http://www.fujixerox.co.jp/eng/headline/2007/0705_plastic.html

Posted: 2007/11/30 11:40:17 PM
Japanese version

TAG Eco-product/Business , Manufacturing industry