Tosoh Corp. has launched a new chloroprene rubber (CR) composite series which uses cellulose nanofibers (CNF) as a reinforcement material. Introduction of the SG series, said Tosoh, is in collaboration with Bando Chemical Industries, Japan's largest manufacturer of power transmission and conveyor belts. Bando incorporated the composites in its transmission belts, which are now being sold in the market, said the synthetic rubber supplier's 29th March announcement.

According to Tosoh, CNF is a biomass derived, high performance material that is one fifth the weight of steel but five times stronger. Historically, however, integrating CNF with rubber materials has presented technical challenges in processes such as compounding and mixing. However, Tosoh said its 'proprietary technology' for the SG series makes the "uniform and fine dispersal of CNF in chloroprene rubber" possible.

The Japanese group anticipates that CNF will substitute for fossil fuel derived rubber reinforcement materials, such as carbon black. The material holds "significant potential" for reducing CO2 emissions, said Tosoh, which aims to use the nano fibre technology in further industrial rubber applications. The development project with Bando was in conjunction with the Japanese government's New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO)'s subsidy programme. The NEDO project aimed to develop CNF related manufacturing technologies to contribute to a "carbon circulating society".