Canon and Toray Industries have successfully developed a bio-based plastic that achieves the world's highest level of flame retardance. The new bio-based plastic, which includes more than 25 percent (by weight) a plant-derived component, will be used in exterior plastic parts for Canon multifunction office systems to be launched beginning next year. Compared with conventional petroleum-based plastics used in multifunction office systems, the new bio-based plastic developed by Canon and Toray offers an expected reduction in manufacturing-related CO2 emissions of approximately 20 percent. The development of the new bio-based plastic will enable its use not only for select parts in multifunction office systems, but also for replacing petroleum-based plastics used for exterior parts, which require a high level of flame retardance.

Plant-derived bio-based plastics, which curb increases in CO2 and decrease the consumption of oil resources, offer material properties that effectively reduce environmental burden. Beginning next year, Canon intends to introduce multifunction office systems that incorporate the newly developed bio-based plastic, with initial plans to use approximately 100 tons of the material per year.