Cellulose nanofiber

Shizuoka Mokumaru

          This is an industry-academia-government collaboration project centered around Toyota Auto Body Co., Ltd. Together with Shizuoka University, Shizuoka Prefecture, and local companies, they have developed the compact and environmentally friendly one-person mobility vehicle Shizuoka Mokumaru which partially uses our cellulose nanofiber material.
The Shizuoka Mokumaru is a model case of locally developed, locally procured mobility, using only parts developed and procured in Shizuoka Prefecture for the vehicle's exterior and structural materials.
Furthermore, the vehicle has been introduced at various exhibitions and in the media as a vehicle of the future that contributes to a decarbonized society, with an awareness of its affinity for sustainable materials and renewable energy.

MFC (microfibrillated cellulose) / PP (polypropylene) composite pellets, jointly developed by Shizuoka University and TENTOK Corporation, have been employed in the interior parts of the Solio, a display car of Suzuki Motor Corporation.

This product was installed in a vehicle exhibited at the Hamanako Flower Expo 2024 held in the spring of 2024, and the material is used in the instrument panel upper box (storage space above the instrument panel).

This initiative is part of a demonstration to promote the practical use of bio-materials in automotive components. The initiative has been highly rated from the perspectives of weight reduction, environmental friendliness, and utilization of local resources.

TENTOK's cellulosic materials are contributing to the realization of a sustainable society in the automotive field as well.

Associate Professor Kenji Aoki of Shizuoka University's Faculty of Global Interdisciplinary Science and Innovation and TENTOK Corporation have jointly developed an environmentally friendly flowerpot using MFC (microfibrillated cellulose) / PP (polypropylene) composite pellets (FM pellets).
This project was implemented as part of the CNF Collaboration Base Utilization Project (FY2023) promoted by Fuji City for the purpose of demonstration experiments and environmental education at elementary schools in the city.
Through the experience of planting, observing, watering, and growing cotton seedlings by themselves, the children came into contact with the characteristics of cellulose materials and their environmental friendliness.
After a certain period of use, the flowerpots will be collected, evaluated for deterioration over time (environmental durability), and recycled before being offered again to new students in the following year.
This recycling-based demonstration activity is also an opportunity for children to learn about the environment, and contributes to the practical application of bio-materials and the promotion of local understanding.