DIC Develops 100% Biomass-Derived Polyester Plasticizer —The first plasticizer to be granted the “Biomass 100%” Biomass Mark—

  • Business & Product
  • News Release
Oct. 1, 2019

Tokyo, Japan–DIC Corporation announced that it has developed a new polyester plasticizer derived entirely from biomass resources that has earned the “Biomass 100%” Biomass Mark,* a designation certifying that a product is made entirely with biomass under the Japan Organics Recycling Association (JORA)’s Biomass Mark labeling system. The new product is the first plasticizer to be granted the “Biomass 100%” Biomass Mark. DIC has begun sample shipments of the new product and plans to scale up capabilities to facilitate mass production.

Plasticizers are additives used to impart flexibility to thermoplastic resins, particularly polyvinyl chloride (PVC), as well as to enhance processability and moldability of such resins when used in the manufacture of finished products. Plasticizers comprise a significant proportion of flexible PVC formulations. Principal applications of PVC in the food processing and restaurant industries include food packaging films, food handling gloves and other food contact materials. Other applications range from everyday items to industrial products, include automotive interior materials, sheath materials for home appliance power cables and inks for textiles used in clothing.

Because it is made from plants, a renewable resource, DIC’s new plasticizer, Polycizer W-1810-BIO, contributes to decarbonization. Underscoring its safety, the product has earned certification under the Japan Hygienic PVC Association (JHPA)’s JHP standard†, encouraging its use in food contact materials. In terms of flexibility and durability—two key properties of plasticizers—Polycizer W-1810-BIO also outperforms existing products.

Guided by its new medium-term management plan, DIC111, DIC is working to provide both social value, which contributes to sustainability and markets, and economic value, which underpins corporate growth, ensuring it remains a unique global company that is trusted by society. Going forward, the DIC Group will continue striving to help realize a sustainable society by providing products made with renewable and naturally derived raw materials.

* The Biomass Mark is an environment-friendly product labeling program that certifies biomass-derivedbio
products compliant with key laws, regulations and standards for quality and safety. The program is
administered by JORA.


† The JHP standard is a voluntary standard under Japanese `Food Hygiene Low” for food-contact PVC
products that is administered by the JHPA.

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