Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (MCC; Head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Masayuki Waga) today announced that its DURABIO™, a bio-based engineering polymer, has been adopted for the body (3D-shape rear panel) of the smartphone manufactured by Lenovo Group Limited (Lenovo; Head office: Beijing, China; Honorary Chairman: Liu Chuanzhi).
 
While metal materials have conventionally been used for smartphone bodies, issues related to the blocking of radio waves in the 5G communication systems have been resolved by a shift to non-metal materials. Nevertheless, glass has been vulnerable to impact and breakage and conventional plastics each have issues with physical properties such as transparency, scratch resistance, shock resistance, and optical distortion.

Thus, Lenovo, which is aggressively promoting the sale of smartphones, has incorporated leading-edge technology and design with DURABIO™. This decision was based on the recognition that DURABIO™ possesses the physical properties required for a body as well as being an environment-friendly material.

Made with isosorbide, a renewable plant-derived material, DURABIO™ is a bio-based engineering polymer that strikes an excellent balance among physical properties in the aspects of transparency, scratch resistance, shock resistance, and optical characteristics. It also has the adaptability to respond to needs for higher degrees of freedom in design of smartphone bodies.

As MCC moves toward fulfilling the Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Group’s vision of “Realizing KAITEKI,*” it continues to accelerate research and development and expand applications for biodegradable and plant-derived products such as DURABIO™ to help establish a recycling-oriented society and achieve UN Sustainable Development Goals.

*KAITEKI is an original concept devised by the Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Group and denotes “the sustainable well-being of people, society and our planet Earth.”