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
Kirekira! Toilet Cleaner
Revoldia CNF table tennis racket
Recent Research Achievements
- 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
ELLEX-R55 CNF-resin composite
Electric vehicle with parts made from CNF
