Tokyo, Japan, April 1, 2013 – Teijin Limited announced today that it has developed technology to significantly enhance the heat and impact resistance of PLANEXT, the company’s high-performance bioplastic. The technology modifies the molecular design of PLANEXT to achieve greatly improved heat resistance with a glass-transition temperature of 120*C, as well as superior resistance to impact. In addition, a separate proprietary flame-retardant technology enables PLANEXT to achieve top-level flame retardancy of UL94V-0 at 1.6mm.
Teijin will develop markets for PLANEXT as a strategic bio and next-generation transparent material with new applications in the electronics, architecture and exterior fields, starting with the Japanese market. Annual production capacity at the company’s Matsuyama Factory in Ehime Prefecture, Japan is expected to expand to 3,000 tons within a few years.
PLANEXT is an eco-friendly bio-polycarbonate made with bio-content based on isosorbide from corn-starch and other plants. In addition to excellent moldability and durability, it is superior to oil-derived polycarbonates in terms of surface hardness (pencil hardness rank: H), weather and chemical resistance, and light transmission of 92%. With its newly enhanced heat and impact resistance, PLANEXT is now an ideal material for a much wider range of applications than ever before.
About the Teijin Group
Teijin (TSE 3401) is a technology-driven global group offering advanced solutions in the areas of sustainable transportation, information and electronics, safety and protection, environment and energy, and healthcare. Its main fields of operation are high-performance fibers such as aramid, carbon fibers & composites, healthcare, films, resin & plastic processing, polyester fibers, products converting and IT. The group has some 150 companies and around 17,000 employees spread out over 20 countries worldwide. It posted consolidated sales of JPY 854.4 billion (USD 9.1 billion) and total assets of JPY 762.1 billion (USD 8.1 billion) in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2012. Please visit www.teijin.com.
