Mitsubishi Plastics, Inc. (head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President Takumi Ubagai) launches a new product “GOBIMAT™ Waterside Vegetation Type” on December 21 this year, one of the concrete block mat series “GOBIMAT™” that protects an eroding riverbank from stream effects. The new product was developed to green the river banks and revetments of channels surrounding rice paddy fields, thus creating a stable water environment that can nurture aquatic organisms.
　

　In Japan, most revetments of rice paddy channels have changed from soil to concrete along with the development of farmland for better productivity of rice cultivation.. At the same time, the aquatic ecosystem in paddy fields has also changed, creating an inhospitable environment for aquatic creatures such as killifish, frogs and weatherfish: these species were more abundant around rice paddy fields in the past. In fact, killifish and some kind of frogs have been specified as endangered species by the Ministry of the Environment; this has become recognized as a social issue.
　

　The new product “GOBIMAT™ Waterside Vegetation Type” is a concrete block mat for river bank erosion protection; composing of multiple concrete blocks (approximately 20x20 x5.5cm) and durable polypropylene non-woven filter sheets reinforced by polyester. By randomly planting Japanese cutgrass (Leersia japonica), which is an emergent plant＊1 with high adaptability to the fluctuation of water levels, in small slits of the concrete block mat, the greening of rice paddy channels will be promoted, helping to maintain the ideal habitat for aquatic organisms. Leaves, stalks, roots as well as the slits of concrete blocks in a channel will provide a safe living environment for fish, shrimps, and aquatic insects to hide or spawn. In addition, the product can reduce labor costs and time to install compared to the case of concrete drain channels (U-shaped gutter), as this can be installed directly on a channel with smooth walls, by driving short piles into the three dimensions (the stream bed and both sides of slopes) of the concrete mat, while the latter requires the work of turning over the soil, installing the gutter, and binding it with the soil.
　

　Since 2008, Mitsubishi Plastics has been observing the habitat of aquatic organisms in the channel both in the banks and below water using “GOBIMAT™ Waterside Vegetation Type.” This activity is conducted through collaboration with the Sanctuary Center of Izunuma-Uchinuma in Miyagi Prefecture and the Izunuma-Uchinuma Dojyo-Namazu Study group under “Namazu-no Gakko (Catfish School).” In June this year, the researchers identified the spawn of killifish at the root of Japanese cutgrass in a channel using “GOBIMAT™ Waterside Vegetation Type.”.
　

　Mitsubishi Plastics plans to promote the sale of “GOBIMAT™ Waterside Vegetation Type” targeting local governments that are working on the development of local communities and agriculture in symbiosis with nature. The Company strives to attain the concept of “KAITEKI”*2 advocated by the Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Group, by constantly considering the needs of customers and developing materials that can contribute to reducing the environmental burden.
　

　*1 An aquatic plant that takes root in the water, having the lower part of the stem under water and upper part of the stem or leaves above the water.
　*2 KAITEKI: A challenge to attain the state of sustainability, materializing in comfort for people, comfort for society and comfort for the Earth.

 

[Installation image]

 

 

[Paddy field cannel with growing plants] [Japanese cutgrass (Leersia japonica) growing from a small slit of concrete block]

　　　

 
[Spawn of killifish identified at the root of rice cutgrass in a rice paddy channel (June 2012)]

 　　

 Above two photos were taken by Dr.Yasufumi Fujimoto, a researcher of the Sanctuary Center of Izunuma-Uchinuma in Miyagi Prefecture

 
[Product specification]
 Standard size: Width 1600㎜ × Length 6000㎜ × Thickness 55㎜
 Reference price: 7,000 yen/m2
 Installation method: By crane or other heavy machinery
 
　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