Research and Development

Cellulose NanoFiber (CNF), a wood pulp-derived high performance material, is one-fifth the weight of steel but possesses five times its strength. It holds promise for applications in various fields, including automotive parts, films, filters, and paper. Various companies and research institutions are currently in a race to develop applications for CNF. Daio Paper is working to develop applications and overcome cost barriers toward commercialization of the new material.

Employee Spotlight

He joined Daio Paper in 2009 and has been conducting research and development on CNF at the current Advanced Materials R&D Center for the last five years.

Advanced Materials R&D Center, Production Division

Research and Development Achievements toward Commercialization of CNF

December 2013
Started supplying samples of CNF slurry (2% solids content)
June 2016
Established and started up a CNF slurry manufacturing pilot plant with a maximum annual production capacity of 100 tons (based on the results of a NEDO assisted project)
October 2016
Succeeded in the development of CNF-containing structural composite, and in November, a porous artificial bone graft material (through a joint development project with Fukuyama Ika Co., Ltd. and Chiba Institute of Technology)
April 2017
Launched Elleair Kirekira! Nano EX toilet cleaning wipes with CNF content
July 2017
Started supplying samples of CNF-containing structural composite
December 2017
Established and started up a CNF powder pilot plant with a maximum annual production capacity of 10 tons (through the Ministry of the Environment’s project for low-carbon technologies in the manufacturing process of CNF products)
March 2018
Launched a joint research and development project with Sumitomo Mitsui Construction Co., Ltd. toward the practical application of concrete containing CNF
August 2018
Succeeded in developing highly transparent CNF through esterification with phosphorous acid
October 2018
Began providing samples of cellulose-resin pellets made from a composite of cellulose fiber and polypropylene resin
June 2019
Started a joint R&D initiative with Ehime Prefecture to commercialize coatings for ceramic and porcelain products using CNF
June 2019
Succeeded in developing ELLEX-M, a high-performance molded CNF material for use in table tennis rackets
June 2019
ELLEX-M molded CNF sheets provided to Samurai Speed, an electric vehicle that competes in races in the U.S., and used in the car’s hood, rear doors, and rear spoiler
August 2019
Electric vehicle with CNF competes in U.S. race and cuts 16 seconds off its time from the previous year with a car body that is 12.6 kg lighter (49% of parts replaced)
April 2020
ELLEX-M molded CNF sheets used as a high-performance material for table tennis rackets
August 2020
ELLEX-M molded CNF sheets and ELLEX-R composite CNF-resin pellets provided to SAMURAI SPEED, an electric vehicle that competes in races in the U.S., and used in the car’s hood, rear and side doors, instrument panel (interior), and door mirrors
August 2020
Succeeded in developing ELLEX-R55, a CNF-resin composite that has raised the cellulose content to 55%
May 2021
ELLEX-M molded CNF sheets and ELLEX-R composite CNF-resin pellets provided to Samurai Speed, an electric vehicle that competes in races in the U.S., and used for the roof and in the front doors, rear doors, and door mirrors

 

 

Kirekira! Toilet Cleaner

Revoldia CNF table tennis racket

Recent Research Achievements

May 2021
Front bumper for buses using CNF molding material “ELLEX-M” jointly manufactured with Yamasei Corporation.It was installed on the front bumper of a sightseeing bus newly introduced by the Dogo Prince Hotel Group.

Implementation on front bumper

March 2022
CNF composite resin pilot plant with an annual capacity of 100 tons (at maximum production) installed and operational
 
 

CNF-resin composite

May 2022
CNF-added concrete can improve workability during concrete placement by utilizing the characteristic fluidity of CNF in our group headquarters building.

CNF-added concrete

Jun 2022
In addition to CNF composite resin and CNF molded products, we provided CNF continuous molded products to Samurai Speed, which participates in U.S. races with electric vehicles, for use in door mirror covers, roof panels, all doors, hoods, and rear spoilers.
August 2022
CNF Implementation Electric Car U.S. Race Results: Finished 9th (13:37.568) out of 12 teams in the unlimited modification class.
 
 

CNF implemented in electric Car

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