Project Details

Reducing CO₂ emissions by replacing synthetic rubber with natural rubber
Enormous quantities of CO₂ are emitted during the manufacture and use of petroleum-derived synthetic rubber as the raw material for car tires. Replacement of the synthetic rubber with natural rubber, which is derived from trees that capture and store CO₂, would help to prevent global warming. This project is working to advance the refining technology for removing proteins from natural rubber, thereby enabling a wider range of uses and the development of new materials. In addition, researchers are working to enhance and apply technology for processing wastewater and rubber tree waste in order to reduce CO₂ emissions at the manufacturing stage and the impact on the environment. These activities are expected to cultivate the foundations of a next-generation natural rubber industry.

Creating new industries through high-performance rubber and advanced polymers
In order to foster a next-generation natural rubber industry, the project is attempting to develop high performance natural rubber that can be used for products such as ultra-light weight tires, to develop functional polymers appropriate for new applications such as battery and auto body materials, and to define new assessment methods compatible with high quality refined natural rubber, as well as achieving advances in energy-recovering wastewater and waste treatment technology suitable for treating effluent and rubber tree waste from the manufacture of natural rubber.