NEC Corporation, a Japan-based global networking and IT giant, today announced that, working in collaboration with the Kyoto Institute of Technology and Japanese lacquerware artist, Dr. Yutaro Shimode, a new bioplastic has been developed that mimics the much-prized “Urushi black” color of Japanese traditional lacquerware. Derived from cellulose from grasses, trees and other non-edible, renewable plant resources, the material opens up a myriad of new opportunities for ‘Urushi black’ applications.
The Japanese art of Urushi is a tradition dating back 10,000 years. This natural lacquer is sourced from the sap of the indigenous Urushi trees, which contains a resin that polymerizes, hardening into durable, plastic-like substance when exposed to specific humidity levels and and air temperatures. The lacquer is said to be able to withstand acid, alkali, alcohol and high temperatures, and also protects against salt, mold and mildew. However, even today, Urushi lacquerware takes time to make, as the processes that go into producing it are still carried out by hand. Conventionally, Japanese lacquerware is made by substrate processing of the surface of wood products, manual coating with lacquer (a mixture of natural lacquer substance and coloring agents), and letting the lacquer harden, followed by repeated polishing of the product.
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