MCC and Suzuki Develop Plant-derived, Bio-based Engineering Plastic

Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation announced that MCC and Suzuki Motor Corporation have jointly developed a new grade of bio-based engineering plastic called DURABIO™, which was used (*) in the interior resin color panels of Suzuki’s new Alto Lapin.

DURABIO™, developed by MCC, is a bio-based engineering plastic made from plant-derived isosorbide. It features excellent performance as it offers higher resistance to impact, heat, and weather than conventional engineering plastics. Additional benefits include ease of coloring – DURABIO™ can be simply mixed with pigment to create glossy, high reflective surfaces – as well its hardness, enhancing durability and scratch resistance. These advantages eliminate the need for a coating process, thereby reducing emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from paints. DURABIO™ is one of the the world’s first bio-based engineering plastics to offer bacteria-shedding performance. Simply rinsing or wiping the surface with water removes virtually all traces of bacteria.

In 2013, MCC-developed DURABIO™ marked a world first when the bio-based engineering plastic was used in the interior color panels of the Suzuki Hustler. Recognizing the material’s excellent performance, Suzuki began focusing DURABIO™ in its development of coloring materials for automotive components, pursuing improvements in both performance and texture. MCC and Suzuki have now succeeded in developing a new grade of DURABIO™ that offers even greater resistance to impact and heat and lower-density (lighter weight) compared to conventional bio-based engineering plastics, thanks to polymer alloy technology. At the same time, the new grade of DURABIO™ maintains the earlier advantages, such as high resistance to scratching and weather, as well as bacteria shedding.

MCC and Suzuki are committed to ongoing joint development aimed at producing eco-friendly, high-value-added vehicles.

Source: Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation

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