Mitsubishi Chemical Corp (MCC, Tokyo / Japan; www.m-kagaku.co.jp) plans to expand production of its high-transparency bio-based polycarbonate “Durabio” in Kurosaki / Japan from 5,000 t/y to 16,000 t/y by fiscal 2015. The company has been producing Durabio at the site since autumn 2012. The high performance material is based on plant-derived isosorbide.

MCC said it has developed a new grade of Durabio suitable for automotive touch panel applications, and plans to develop new applications for the material.

The material’s excellent optical properties and high resistance to heat and humidity make it suitable for the front plate of automotive touch panels, which are used mainly to control air conditioning, audio, and car navigation systems, the company said. Impact-resistant polycarbonate is commonly used for these applications but a problem with polycarbonate is that it can distort light transmission, making it difficult for users to see the touch panel, it explained. Durabio nearly eliminates distortion in light transmission, it added.