HIROSHIMA, JAPAN
– Mazda Motor Corporation has signed a collaborative research agreement with Hiroshima University to launch the “Mazda
Bioplastic Project.” The project aim is to develop a bioplastic from
non-food-based cellulosic biomass and have it ready for use in vehicles by
2013.
The
bioplastic being developed will not consume food resources because it will be
made from cellulosic biomass produced from inedible vegetation such as plant
waste and wood shavings. Furthermore, because cellulosic biomass is
plant-derived and therefore carbon neutral, the bioplastic will reduce reliance
on limited fossil fuel resources and alleviate carbon dioxide emissions.
The
project will focus on designing a production process for an extremely versatile
polypropylene, appropriate for extensive use in vehicles, by first converting
cellulosic biomass to ethanol and then investigating various mixtures of
ethylene and propylene. The polypropylene must have sufficient heat resistance,
strength, and durability to be used in vehicle bumpers and instrument panels.
The project will also seek to optimize the manufacturing process for the
bioplastic so that it is eco-friendly and cost-effective.
“Development
of a non-food-based bioplastic made from sustainable plant resources has great
potential in the fight against global warming, and can help allay global food
supply concerns,” said Seita Kanai, Mazda’s director and senior executive
officer in charge of R&D. “Mazda is pleased to join forces with our
regional partners as we work toward systematically combining various biomass
technologies. Through this cooperation, we intend to strengthen Hiroshima’s position as a
center for biomass research, and develop technology that can be used throughout
the world.”
Mazda’s
previous research on biomass technology resulted in the world’s first high
heat-resistant, high-strength bioplastic and the world’s first 100 percent
plant-derived fabric for use in car seats. These two biomaterials are used in
the interior of the Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid. Powered by Mazda’s
hydrogen rotary engine mated to a hybrid system, the Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid
is scheduled to start commercial leasing in
Japan in fiscal year 2008.
Mazda
began joint activities with the research department at Hiroshima
University’s
Graduate School of Engineering in 2005. This partnership’s comprehensive
agreement on joint automotive technology research includes biomass technology.
Going forward, Mazda plans to expand the collaborative research on biomass
technologies and strengthen its relationship with Hiroshima University for multidisciplinary joint research. Japan’s
National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) will
also participate in the bioplastic project as part of its ongoing agreement to
collaborate on biomass research with Hiroshima University.
In March
2007, Mazda announced its long-term vision for technology development, “Sustainable
Zoom-Zoom.”
