Fujitsu Develops World's First Vegetable-Resin PC Casing

Fujitsu Limited of Japan announced that it has successfully developed the first technology in the world that reinforces the fire resistance of vegetable resins. The company will use this technology in manufacturing their notebook personal computer (PC) casings starting in fiscal 2004.

In June 2002, the company succeeded in developing notebook PCs using small parts made of new materials derived from corn and other plants. However, to further expand the use of parts made from these materials, their strength, resistance to heat and ability to retard fire needed to be improved.

The new technology capitalizes on qualities of a polylactic acid from corn and other vegetables that makes the material incombustible, a prerequisite for notebook PC casings. It's strength and heat-resistance are also equal to those of ABS resin. The plant-derived material has so far only been used for small parts, but can now be used for large parts such as casings due to the improvements in its flame retardant qualities.

Manufacturing PCs with casings made of this new material can reduce energy consumption by some 40 percent in the manufacturing process compared to using conventional petroleum resin. Thus, this technology is expected to help reduce the burden on the environment.



Posted: 2004/03/29 10:00:58 AM
Japanese version