Inaba Rubber Co. Ltd., a producer of high-detail molded rubber and other products, has worked with Tottori University’s Faculty of Medicine to codevelop a mouthpiece for use during endoscopy. Named the Gagless Mouthpiece, the new product is already available and serves to cut down on patient discomfort by reducing gagging. By taking a horseshoe shape, the product better provides the...
Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. (TYO:5110) has managed a world-first success in shedding light on the crystallization process that occurs at the tips of cracks in natural rubber – crystallization referring here to rubber molecules becoming aligned in the direction of elongation when the rubber is stretched. The company’s research on this was carried out in conjunction with the Leibniz Institute...
Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. (TYO:5110) recently announced that it has worked with Sumitomo Forestry Co. Ltd. (TYO:1911) and flexible concrete mat manufacturer Maxstone KK to develop highly soundproof flooring for rental housing. The new product will be adopted starting from the Forest Maison line of rental housing provided by Sumitomo Forestry. The highly soundproof flooring incorporates anti-vibration rubber based on...
Bando Chemical Industries Ltd. (TYO:5195) recently received a chairman’s award from the Energy Conservation Center, Japan (ECCJ), as part of the 2018 Energy Conservation Grand Prize awards. The company won this off the back of its Hyper Flat Drive (HFD) System, a flat belt drive system that was rated strongly for enabling a high level of energy conservation. This marks...
Kraton Corp. recently developed a new type of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) latex under the name Cariflex IR2GL1. Taking the form of a new styrene block copolymer TPE latex, the product is aimed toward use in the likes of surgical gloves. Cariflex IR2GL1 foregoes the conventional need for vulcanization while exhibiting strength, softness and flexibility. In addition, it is free from...
Kyokuto Sangyo Co. Ltd., a major producer of rubber and resin linings, has worked with semi-major general contractor Hazama Ando Corp. (TYO:1719) to develop a paint that uses low-energy neutrons to suppress radioactivation. The new paint utilizes a hydrogen component that it contains to slow down neutrons, then sees these neutrons absorbed by a boron compound to suppress radioactivation. Tests...
