NEC develops bioplastic from cellulose resin

In Japan, NEC Corporation, in collaboration with the Kyoto Institute of Technology and a representative Japanese lacquerware artist, Dr. Yutaro Shimode, announced the development of a bioplastic using resin (cellulose resin) from grasses, trees and other non-edible plant resources that features the highly regarded “Urushi black” color of Japanese traditional lacquerware.

In order to create the new cellulose-based bioplastic, NEC developed a unique technology for mixing additives to adjust coloration and light reflectance of the material, enabling, for the first time, the realization of optical properties (low brightness, high glossiness, etc.) similar to the deep and shiny “Urushi black” color of high-grade Japanese lacquerware. The new plastic balances a high level of environmental friendliness and decorativeness and makes it possible to mass produce products of various shapes and patterns using the usual molding process for ordinary plastics.