Eco Automotive

Mazda Motor Corporation has announced that an industry-government-academia joint research project in Hiroshima Prefecture, in which it is participating, has achieved an improved exterior surface quality, high-strength, heat-resistant plastic (bioplastic) made of natural materials.

This newly-developed bioplastic features is stronger – it has three times the shock impact resistance along with 25 percent higher heat resistance when compared to contemporary bioplastics used for items such as electrical appliances. In addition, it is made with a fermentation process that includes natural materials such as fermented starches and sugars which, compared with the process to make polypropylene, reduces energy use by 30 percent.

This newly-developed bioplastic is made of 88 percent corn and 12 percent petroleum. Focused their efforts on developing a new nucleating agent for crystallization and a compatibilizer compound to raise the strength and heat resistance of the new plastic, dramatically increasing the amount of applications for automobile manufacturing.

The new bioplastic consortium project consortium consisting of two universities, seven companies and two research institutes.

Based on our rich tradition of sake brewing in this region, we’ve been accumulating fermentation biotechnology for a long time have an extensive history of research into the practical uses of biodegradable plastics than can be broken down by microorganisms. In particular, great results have been achieved through joint international research into lactic acid copolymers. So it’s safe to say the Hiroshima area is fertile ground in terms of research achievements. Together with our regional partners over the next few years, Mazda intends to continue its bioplastics research for the purpose of utilizing any advances we achieve to make better products for customers

2006 marks the final year of the Mazda Momentum mid-term management plan. Two of the plan’s goals were to achieve 100 billion yen in operating profit and a net-debt-to-equity ratio of less than one hundred percent by the end of fiscal year 2006; these were achieved one year earlier than projected. Another key measure of the plan is to strengthen research and development efforts. As a company that values its social contributions now and into the future, Mazda will keep up its proactive technical research on eco-friendly and safe products for its customers.

Notes:

1) Carbon neutral

As an example, carbon neutral can be characterized as CO2 gases released during plant decomposition or combustion being absorbed during the growth phase of photosynthesis, so any emitted CO2 gases are offset and end up producing a negligible impact on CO2 levels in the atmosphere.

2) Nucleating agents for crystallization

A “stimulus” nucleating agent added to crystal acts as a catalyst and makes it easier to form the crystals. Polylactic acid has properties which make for comparatively slower crystallization when compared to other plastics and this negatively impacts on production efficiency when molding bioplastics for car parts. Given this factor, it is necessary to carry out the crystallization earlier by means of a nucleating agent. When the molecular chain is arranged in a systematic way, the plastic’s strength is increased and its heat-resistant properties are improved.

3) Compatibilizer

An additive is needed for a material that has two or more different types of properties, and when distributed uniformly, it improves the physical properties of the material. It is necessary to mix the polylactic acids with a combination of polylactic acid and an added element that is not chemically compatible.

4) Lactic acid copolymers

This is a plastic material derived by partly replacing some of the elements of polylactic acids with other ingredients.

5) International collaboration