Vol.11 Issue 1 / Latest topics 3Driving Green Innovation: Shimadzu Group Integrates Cellulose Fibers in Analytical Instruments and Acquires El-design Co., Ltd.for Groundbreaking Packaging Project

  1. Shimadzu Corporation is actively promoting eco-friendly functional materials and systems to reduce our environmental impact. We are committed to prioritizing sustainable practices and advocating for the adoption of green solutions. Together, we can create a greener future.

    In a World’s First, Components Compounded with Cellulose Fibers are being Adopted for Analytical and Measuring Instru-ments

  2. In a world’s first, Shimadzu Corporation is adopting a cellulose fiber reinforced flame resistant composite resin, a functional, environmentally friendly material, for our analytical and measuring instruments. This resin was created based on GREEN CHIP CMFTM*1 developed collaboratively by Tomoegawa Co., Ltd. (Chuo City, Tokyo) and FP Chemical Industry Co.,Ltd. (Fuji City, Shizuoka Prefecture) in 2020. The development of this plastic*2 was the result of a challenge by Shimadzu to improve the flame resistance, which was then solved by the three companies. The materials will be used in the configuration units of 15 models in the Nexera series of liquid chromatographs shipped starting in late November.

    GREEN CHIP CMF is a sustainable material compounded with cellulose fibers, thereby limiting the use of petroleum derived resins, leading to a reduction in CO2. Because of its high strength, components can be molded more thinly, reducing the weight of products. However, the exterior and components of analytical instruments and other electrical equipment should be flame resistant from the perspective of safety. Both petroleum derived plastics and plant derived cellulose are flammable, and increasing their respective flame resistance was problematic. Tomoegawa Co., Ltd., FP Chemical Industry Co.,Ltd., and Shimadzu Corporation spent three years developing a compounding technique for combining resin and cellulose, both of which are flammable materials, but increasing their flame resistance while maintaining a certain level of strength.

    Shimadzu Corporation is initially adopting the product for their liquid chromatographs, but has plans to increase the usage ratio of sustainable materials in various products.

    • *1 GREEN CHIP CMF was developed collaboratively by Tomoegawa Co., Ltd. and FP Chemical Industry Co.,Ltd.
    • *2 UL94_V-0 equivalent.

  1. Start of a Revolutionary Packaging Project in the Shimadzu Group to Contribute to the Environment

    In June 2023, Shimadzu Corporation began a “Revolutionary Packaging Project” to improve the design of packaging for products. This project will revise the packaging materials and specifications used for products handled by the Shimadzu Group, leading to reduced environmental load and logistics costs. At the end of March 2023, Shimadzu Logistics Service Corporation (SLS), which handles logistics functions for the Shimadzu Group, acquired El-design Co., Ltd. (ELD), which has high level packaging design technology. Shimadzu will  promote the Revolutionary Packaging Project company-wide including the development departments and environment departments, mainly led by SLS and ELD.

    The amount of waste will be reduced by changing from conventional wood and plastic packaging materials to recyclable cardboard boxes.
    Additionally, reducing the volume after packaging will improve the loading efficiency for the Shimadzu Group as a whole, leading to reductions in transport fees and packaging fees both in Japan and overseas. Through these series of measures, cost reductions of approximately 100 million yen per year are expected. 

    Reductions in waste and costs are achieved by changing plastic product guards to cardboard boxes.

    It is Shimadzu Corporation’s goal to contribute to a carbon-neutral society and a circular economy. As part of our medium-term management plan, we are reducing the use of petroleum-derived plastics and aiming to minimize CO2 emissions. By maintaining our focus on sustainability, Shimadzu Corporation is well-positioned to lead the way to a greener future.