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New Bio-based Engineering PlasticDURABIO™ Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation

• Polymers / Resins / High Performance Chemicals
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DURABIO™ is a bio-based polycarbonate resin derived mainly from plant-based isosorbide. Compared with conventional polycarbonate resin (hereafter abbreviated PC resin) made from bisphenol A (hereafter abbreviated BPA), DURABIO™ features high transparency, excellent optical properties, and outstanding scratch resistance. Its puncture impact behaviour are comparable to those for PC resin. DURABIO™ is a plant-derived polymer but is not biodegradable. It has excellent durability, making possible its deployment in a wide variety of applications such as for optical ・energy related components, a substitute for high-performance glass components, as well as for electronic equipment ・ automotive housings ・ interior and exterior decor.

• Characteristics
• Applications
• Lineup / Specifications
• News

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Characteristics

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DURABIO™ is a bio-based polycarbonate resin whose main raw material is plant-derived isosorbide. It is a transparent engineering plastic which has various characteristics distinct from PC resins made from BPA raw materials. In particular, its optical properties are superior. Also light exposure stability and surface characteristics show high performance.

DURABIO™ is not biodegradable, and with its superior durability, this novel bio-based polycarbonate may be employed in numerous applications.

Because it utilizes a plant-derived raw material with a uniquely important oxyalicyclic (non-aromatic) frame, DURABIO™ has excellent optical properties. Its transparency and optical homogeneity surpass those of BPA-based PC resins.

In addition, there is negligible yellowing due to exposure to light, so it can be widely employed in applications that require light stability. This is naturally beneficial in transparent applications, where even for applications needing light-colored materials, there is little concern of color change due to yellowing.

Furthermore, DURABIO™ retains high surface hardness characteristics, and in abrasion resistance is a significant improvement over PC resin. Surface impact strength is excellent. Even under conditions in which acrylic resins show brittle fracture, DURABIO™ shows the same ductile fracture as PC resin. Impact properties are comparable to those of PC resin.

Another benefit is excellent color tone design capability. The outstanding transparency makes it possible to create extremely vivid colors in the transparent material. Metallic coloration qualities and deep hues can be produced.

Applications

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Mitsubishi Chemical Corp.developed DURABIO™ is a bio-based engineering plastic made from plant-derived isosorbide.Excellent transparency and low optical distortion, scratch resistance, UV resistance.

Optical characteristics

Glass substitution

• FPD front panel
• Sunglass
• LED lighting
• Optical Film

Surface Hardness

Paint-less

• Automotive Exterior Parts
• Automotive Interior Parts
• Front Panel for Smartphone

UV stability

no color change

• Lighting sheet
• Film-laminated steel sheet
• Noise barrier wall

Biomass

• Cosmetics containers
• E&E housings

Lineup / Specifications

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Property	Method	Condition	Unit	DURABIO
				General Grade
				D7340R Injection	D6350R Injection	D5360R Injection	D5380R-3 Extrusion
Density	ISO1183	g/cm³	1.36	1.34	1.31	1.31
Water Absorption	MCC Method	23℃,24h	wt%	0.3	0.3	0.2	0.2
MVR	ISO1133	230℃,2.16kg	cm³/10min	8	10	10	4
MFR	ISO1133	230℃,2.16kg	g/10min	10	12	13	5
Tensile Modulus	ISO527	MPa	2,700	2,500	2,300	2,050
Tensile Strength	ISO527	MPa	78	70	64	63
Elongation at Break	ISO527	%	77	110	130	115
Flexural Modulus	ISO178	MPa	2,700	2,500	2,100	2,050
Flexural Strength	ISO178	MPa	118	105	94	90
Charpy Impact Strength	ISO179-1/1eA	With Notch	kJ/㎡	7	8	9	14
	ISO179-1/1eU	Without Notch	kJ/㎡	N.B.	N.B.	N.B.	N.B.
Total Light Transmittance	ISO13468	3mmt	%	92	92	92	92
Heat Deflection Temperature	ISO75-１, ISO75-2	1.80MPa	℃	102	90	82	82
	ISO75-1, ISO75-2	0.45MPa	℃	114	101	92	92
Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion -20～80℃	ISO11359-2	MD	1/℃	6.9E-05	7.1E-05	7.3E-05	7.3E-05
	ISO11359-2	TD	1/℃	6.9E-05	7.1E-05	7.3E-05	7.3E-05

Remarks	Coloring Ability	Ice Color	D7340IR	✓	D5360IR	D5380IR
		Piano Black(Jet-Black)	✓	✓	✓	✓
		Brilliant Color	✓	✓	✓	✓
	Characteristic		High Heat	Balance	High Impact	High Impact

All Values are portrayed as general information only and are not product specifications.

News

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• Apr. 16, 2025

  Bio-based Engineering Plastic DURABIO Adopted for 3D-Printed Stools, Installed within the Japan Pavilion at Expo 2025[別窓表示]

• Jan. 07, 2025

  DURABIO Plant-derived Bio-based Engineering Plastic Adopted by US-based Mobile Phone Accessory Maker PopSockets for iPhone 16 Accessories[別窓表示]

2024

• Dec. 16, 2024

  Bio-based Engineering Plastic DURABIO Adopted by Honda for its Motorcycle Bodywork and Windshields-Toughness and paintless design capability opening up mobility applications-[別窓表示]

• Dec. 05, 2024

  Bio-based Engineering Plastic DURABIO used on front grille of Suzuki's new Fronx compact SUV[別窓表示]

• May. 17, 2024

  DURABIO, the World’s First Bio-based Engineering Plastic, Adopted by Honda for its Motorcycle Windshields[別窓表示]

• Feb. 14, 2024

  Plant-derived bioengineering plastic DURABIO used in Sunstar's Ora2 Toothbrush[別窓表示]

• Jan. 25, 2024

  Plant-derived Bioengineering Plastic DURABIO Selected by Panasonic for Wireless Earphones[別窓表示]

2023

• Oct. 19, 2023

  Plant-derived bioengineering plastic DURABIO adopted for use in "iwasemi RC-α" transparent sound-absorbing panel[別窓表示]

• May. 17, 2023

  Samples of New Grade of Plant-derived Bioengineering Plastic DURABIO with Higher Biomass Content to Be Made Available This Month[別窓表示]

• Mar. 14, 2023

  Plant-derived Bio-engineering Plastic "DURABIO" Adopted for Ballpoint Pen of Design Stationery Brand "ZOOM"[別窓表示]

• Feb. 27, 2023

  Plant-derived Bioengineering Plastic "DURABIO" Acquires Two Bio-based Product Certifications in Europe （[PDF]207 KB）

• Feb. 08, 2023

  Making Light Benches by Combining Transparent and Highly Durable Bio-based Plastic (DURABIO) with Large-scale Textured 3D Printing—Developing a New Method to Create Outdoor Spaces （[PDF]482 KB）

2022

• Nov. 24, 2022

  Delivering Design for Distinctive Radiance Plant-based Engineering Plastic DURABIO™ Adopted for Shiseido’s Global Luxury Brand ‐Clé de Peau Beauté‐ Iconic Product [別窓表示]

• Aug. 01, 2022

  Plant-based bioengineering plastic "DURABIO™" has been adopted for Casio "PRO TREK®" a watch brand for nature lovers [別窓表示]

• Jul. 26, 2022

  DURABIO™, a plant-based bio engineering plastic with excellent scratch resistance, has been adopted for the industry's first biomass helmet[別窓表示]

• May. 23, 2022

  Bio-based Engineering Plastic DURABIO™ Adopted for the Front Grill of Suzuki S-CROSS[別窓表示]

• Feb. 25, 2022

  Bio-based Engineering Plastic with Excellent Design and Durability "DURABIO™" Adopted for Use in Pilot Ballpoint Pens - Your choice in stationery can help reduce CO₂ -[別窓表示]

2021

• Sep. 28, 2021

  Bio-based Engineering Plastic "DURABIO™" Used for Toyota's New "MIRAI"（[PDF]209 KB）

• Mar. 11, 2021

  Mitsubishi Chemical’s DURABIO™ Bio-Based Engineering Polymer Adopted for Radar Covers on Three Isuzu Truck Models: Contributes to Shift Towards CASE Technologies（[PDF]138 KB）

• Feb. 24, 2021

  Biobased Engineering Polymer DURABIO™ Certified as USDA Biobased Product（[PDF]184 KB）

• Feb. 04, 2021

  Mitsubishi Chemical’s DURABIO™ Bio-Based Engineering Plastic Adopted for Daihatsu Rocky and Other Vehicles: New Metallic Colored Grade Eliminates Need for Coating Processes（[PDF]148 KB）

2019

• Oct. 07, 2019

  World’s First Use of the Bio-based Engineering Polymer DURABIO™ for the Body of the Lenovo Z6 Smartphone[別窓表示]

• Jun. 03, 2019

  Mitsubishi Chemical Develops New Light-diffusing Grade of its DURABIO™ Bio-based Engineering Polymer ‒ Adopted for Lighting Shades used at Warm Bathing Facilities ‒[別窓表示]

2018

• Feb. 27, 2018

  Mitsubishi Chemical Starts Full-scale Sales of New Grade of ‘DURABIO’ Bio-based Engineering Plastic for Bottles[別窓表示]

2017

• Dec. 06, 2017Former Mitsubishi Chemical

  Bio-based Engineering Plastic “DURABIO" Mitsubishi Chemical Develops New Grade for Large Automotive Exterior Components Jointly with Mazda

2016

• Dec. 19, 2016Former Mitsubishi Chemical

  Mitsubishi Chemical’s DURABIO™ Bio-based Engineering Plastic Adopted for Exterior Design Parts of Mazda’s Roadstar RF

• Aug. 2, 2016Former Mitsubishi Chemical

  A First in Europe: Mitsubishi Chemical’s DURABIO™ Bio-based Engineering Plastic Adopted for Outer Mask for Speedometer-Tachometer Combo of Renault’s New Clio

2015

• Nov. 25, 2015Former Mitsubishi Chemical

  Mitsubishi Chemical's DURABIO™ Bio-based Engineering Plastic Receives Bioplastics Award at 10th European Bioplastics Conference

• Jul. 6, 2015Former Mitsubishi Chemical

  World-First — DURABIO™, Bio-based Engineering Plastic from Mitsubishi Chemical, Used on the Front Panel of Sharp's New AQUOS CRYSTAL 2 Smartphone

• Jun. 3, 2015Former Mitsubishi Chemical

  Mitsubishi Chemical, Suzuki Jointly Develop New Grade of DURABIO™ Bio-based Engineering Plastic for Interior Color Panels of New Alto Lapin

• Jan. 27, 2015Former Mitsubishi Chemical

  Mitsubishi Chemical, Mazda Jointly Develop New Grade of DURABIO™, Bio-based Engineering Plastic for Exterior Automotive Components

2014

• Jan. 20, 2014Former Mitsubishi Chemical

  Mitsubishi Chemical Develops New Grade of Bio-based Engineering Plastic DURABIO(TM) for Automotive Touch Panels

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