Tokyo, Japan—Tosoh Corporation is pleased to announce its development and start of manufacture and sale of the SG Series, a new grade of the company’s SKYPRENE® chloroprene rubber. The SG Series features a composite of chloroprene rubber and cellulose nanofibers (CNF) and is manufactured and distributed for sale by Tosoh. To commercialize the SG Series, Tosoh collaborated with Bando Chemical Industries, Ltd. to incorporate the composite in transmission belts that Bando produces and has begun selling.
CNF is a biomass-derived, high-performance material that is one-fifth the weight of yet more than five times stronger than steel. It is anticipated to substitute for fossil fuel–derived rubber reinforcement materials, such as carbon black. As such, CNF holds significant potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, particularly of CO2.
Historically, however, integrating CNF with rubber materials has presented technical challenges in processes such as compounding and mixing. Tosoh’s proprietary technology for the SG Series, though, makes possible the uniform and fine dispersal of CNF in chloroprene rubber, facilitating the application of CNF’s reinforcing effects in rubber materials.
Atomic force microscopyreveals the dispersion of CNF SKYPRENE
Tosoh is committed to exploring expanded applications for the SG Series across various industries. In anticipation of rising demand for environmentally friendly products, we are, moreover, dedicated to accelerating our development of manufacturing technologies that enable the consistently high-quality mass production of such products.
Tosoh’s commercialization of the SG Series saw it partner with Bando Chemical Industries, Ltd., to tailor this CNF-enhanced composite for application in transmission belts. This collaboration was in conjunction with the Japanese government’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO)’s subsidy program. Titled the “Development of CNF-Related Technologies Contributing to a Carbon Circulating Society/Research and Development Project 1: Development of Innovative Low-Cost CNF Manufacturing Technology,” that program provided the basis for Tosoh’s development and commercialization of the SG series.
Additional information
Tosoh’s Development of CNF-reinforced Chloroprene Rubber for Use in Transmission Belts Adopted by NEDO for Subsidy
TOSOH CORPORATION
Who We Are
Tosoh Corporation is the parent of the Tosoh Group, which comprises over 100 companies worldwide and a multiethnic workforce of over 14,000 people. It generated net sales of ¥1,064.4 billion (US$7.9 billion at the average rate of ¥135.5 to the US dollar) in fiscal 2023, ended March 31, 2023.
What We Do
Tosoh is one of the largest chlor-alkali manufacturers in Asia. The Company supplies the plastic resins and an array of the basic chemicals that support modern life. Tosoh’s petrochemical operations supply ethylene, polyethylene, and functional polymers, while its advanced materials business serves the global semiconductor, display, and solar industries. Tosoh has also pioneered sophisticated bioscience systems that are used for the monitoring of life-threatening diseases. In addition, Tosoh demonstrates its commitment to a sustainable future in part by manufacturing a variety of eco-products.
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