Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (MCC; Head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Masayuki Waga) hereby announces that its biomass-based polycarbonate diol (PCD) BENEBiOL™ has been awarded bio-based product certification under the BioPreferred Program of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

 

BENEBiOL™ is the world’s only biomass-based PCD, developed by MCC’s proprietary technology, serving as a raw material for polyurethane resin. Compared to conventional products, polyurethane resin made with BENEBiOL™ can offer excellent flexibility, transparency, and a distinct texture. Leveraging these characteristics, BENEBiOL™ is used in paint, coating materials, artificial and synthetic leather for automobile, furniture, and outdoor clothing applications respectively.

 

The BioPreferred Program is a USDA-led certification system that aims to expand the bio-based product market and create new jobs. The Program allows products that exceed USDA standards for a prescribed amount of bio-based content to display a label indicating certification.

Under the Program, BENEBiOL™ has been certified based on its level of bio-based content.

                  

The certification label indicating a 93% bio-based content                                  BENEBiOL™ logo

                        （example of NL2000D）

BENEBiOL’s addition to the USDA’s list of bio-based products will provide recognition, both in North America and internationally, of the sustainability benefits this product can provide. While emphasizing the product’s features that enable long-term use by adding high durability and excellent functions unique to biomass-based PCD, MCC aims to expand the use of BENEBiOL™ for vehicle, sports, outdoor clothing, and fashion.

 

MCC will continue to contribute to the realization of a circular economy by accelerating the R&D of biomass-based materials, including BENEBiOL™, and providing solutions for environmental and social issues.