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November 25, 2015
Mitsubishi Chemical's DURABIO™ Bio-based Engineering Plastic Receives
Bioplastics Award at 10th European Bioplastics Conference
Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation

Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (MCC; Head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Hiroaki Ishizuka) today announced that MCC and Sharp Corporation (Sharp; Head office: Abeno-ku, Osaka; President: Kozo Takahashi) received the Bioplastics Award for the MCC-developed bio-based engineering plastic DURABIO™. The award was presented at the 10th European Bioplastics Conference, organized by European Bioplastics e.V.
 
MCC-developed DURABIO™ is a bio-based engineering plastic made from plant-derived isosorbide, which features excellent transparency and low optical distortion. In addition, it has excellent performance as it offers higher resistance to impact, heat, and weather than conventional engineering plastics.
 
In a global first, DURABIO™ was adopted for use in the front panels of Sharp’s AQUOS CRYSTAL 2 smartphones, which were commercialized by Softbank Corporation in July 2015. Most smartphone front panels are made of glass, and their susceptibility to cracking has been an ongoing problem, but DURABIO™’s superior optical properties and impact-resistance make it a viable alternative to glass. The Bioplastics Award reflects DURABIO™’s superior performance compared to conventional petroleum-derived plastics and the industry’s high regard for its performance.
 
MCC continues research and development on high-performance products and production of environment-friendly, high value-added products.
 
[Bioplastics Award]
The Bioplastics Award is presented annually to bio-based plastics manufacturers to honor innovative technologies and achievements. The awards are presented by ‘Bioplastics MAGAZINE’* during a ceremony held as part of the European Bioplastics Conference, organized by European Bioplastics e.V. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the event.
*’Bioplastics MAGAZINE’ is owned by Polymedia Publisher GmbH.

For further information, please contact:
Public Relations and Investor Relations Office
Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corporation
Tel: [+81] (0)3-6748-7140
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Reference

Left: Frank Steinbrecher, MCPP Germany GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of MCC
Right: Dr. Michael Thielen, CEO, Polymedia Publisher GmbH
Award ceremony in Berlin, Germany (November 5, 2015)

 
Plaque
 
Sharp's AQUOS CRYSTAL 2 smartphone
 
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