Mitsubishi Plastics, Inc. (head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President Takumi Ubagai) starts the sale of “BD MOLD” on December 11, 2012. This new product is a mold form for test pieces generally used for a mortar compressive strength test. The product uses biodegradable plastic for the first time in the industry, achieving excellent removability, a typical property of plastics, at low cost, whilst maintaining dimension accuracy equivalent to that of conventional tin molds.

 Mortar used in construction should undergo the process of JIS mortar compressive strength testing using test pieces, in order to check whether the mortar has sufficient strength as designed. On each construction date, a construction supervisor extracts mortar to create a cylindrical test piece using a mold with specified dimensions. It is a statutory obligation to submit test pieces to an official institution for the measurement of breaking strength. In general, a tin mold is used to mold the test piece to fit the desired shape; however, this type of mold has the disadvantage of difficult removing thus requiring special tools. A plastic mold, on the other hand, is used by some construction companies but it has less dimensional accuracy and a higher cost, and thus it is not in widespread use in the market.

 The new product “BD MOLD” is a plastic mold that achieves dimensional accuracy equivalent to that of tin molds at low cost. BD MOLD uses “GS Pla™*1”, a biodegradable polymer developed by Mitsubishi Chemical Co., which reduces burning calories in the combustion treatment process by half of that of conventional plastic, almost the same level as paper (approx. 5,000kcal/kg). In addition, the alkaline component of mortar moderately penetrates into the internal surface of the mold, which enables easy demolding. Test pieces can be easily detached from the mold by cutting with a knife cutter along the cut line on both sides of the mold without using a special pincher.
The size of BD MOLD conforms to JIS A 1132 (diameter 50mm; height 100mm) and will be sold in boxes with 60 units per box.

 Mitsubishi Plastics plans to promote the sale of BD MOLD by leveraging the sales channel of Mitsubishi Plastics Marketing Co., Ltd., broadly targeting construction companies, mortar secondary processing companies, and ready-mixed concrete manufacturers*2. Mitsubishi Plastics strives to realize the vision of “KAITEKI*3” advocated by Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings, by proactively developing and commercializing innovative eco-friendly packaging materials that can meet its customers’ needs.

*1 Certified by the Japan Bio Plastics Association (JBPA) (Certification No.: A52201.C00314.C00383.C00474)
*2 After January 1, 2013, the product will be sold by Mitsubishi Plastics Infratec Co., Ltd.
*3 KAITEKI: A challenge to attain the state of sustainability, materializing comfort for people, comfort for society and comfort for the Earth.

 

(1) Pour mortar into BD MOLD.
(2) Cure the mortar until it hardens.
(3) Then, lightly cut BD MOLD with a knife cutter along the cut line on the mold.
(4) After making a cut in the mold, split the mold and take out the test piece from it.

 

 
Lightly cut BD MOLD with a knife cutter Split the mold by hand and take out the test piece from it

The product is designed to offer domestic customers in principle: there will be a need for various procedures for confirmation in the case of export.

For further information please contact:
Public Relations and Investor Relations office,
Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corporation.
TEL: +81-3-6748-7140