Using Bio-Based Polyurethane Coatings, Mitsubishi Chemical and Lawson Were Selected as Japan’s Green Transformation Cases

Mitsubishi Chemical is applying polycarbonatediol to decorative coating systems. According to news from Lawson, Lawson is cooperating with Mitsubishi Chemical to use plant-based Polycarbonatediol produced by Mitsubishi Chemical for the indoor and outdoor wood decorative coatings of its convenience stores in Hokkaido, Japan.

Lawson has 13 chain convenience stores in Hokkaido. These stores use local Hokkaido wood as the main material for interior decoration. Therefore, there is a large demand for wood coatings. BENEBiOL™ Polycarbonatediol uses plant-derived raw materials as film-forming resin, which is transparent, pollution-resistant, chemical-resistant, durable, weather-resistant and tough, and gives the coating a full touch after film formation.

As the main raw material of polyurethane resin, Polycarbonatediol is a polyol with a carbonate structure and hydroxyl groups at both ends. It easily reacts with isocyanate compounds like MDI, TDI, IPDI, H12MDI, etc., and generally produces polyurethane resins with functions such as durability and chemical resistance.

BENEBiOL™ is Mitsubishi Chemical's unique manufacturing technology. The polycarbonatediol produced has a bio-based content of 92%. Due to the use of some plant-derived raw materials, the polyurethane resin is bio-based and is different from petroleum-derived polycarbonate diol. In comparison, it is a material that reduces CO2 emissions and contributes to sustainable manufacturing.

The decorative coatings cooperation case between Lawson and Mitsubishi Chemical is an advanced example of green transformation in the Japanese coatings and construction industry. Through the development of BENEBiOL™, Mitsubishi Chemical strives to continue providing high value-added products and contribute to the realization of a sustainable society.