Cellulose Nanofiber-related Technology Development to Contribute to a Carbon Cycle Society

Cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) are a high-performance material derived from biomass. If the cost of CNF composite resin can be reduced to the same level as existing glass fiber-reinforced resins, the use of CNF in a wide range of fields is expected to accelerate due to its lightweight and high-strength properties. Then, it will become a substitute for existing petroleum-based materials.
Due to these properties, CNFs are expected to add unexpected and unprecedented functions to parts and materials and contribute to the reduction of CO₂ emissions by reducing the amount and weight of materials.
The technological development of an innovative CNF production process in this project will accelerate the mass production of CNFs as its applications expand. In addition, it is expected that market deployment will be accelerated through safety evaluation, LCA evaluation, and support from experts and that supporting industries will benefit widely.

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  Hierarchical structure of tree cellulose

While CNF-related technology has made great progress and user companies have increasing expectations for its practical application, further development of applications and cost reductions are eagerly awaited to expand the market.
In order to quickly expand the market for social implementation of CNFs, which contributes to CO₂ reduction and a carbon recycling society, NEDO will take the following initiatives.

[Development of Innovative CNF Manufacturing Process Technology]

Significant cost reductions will be achieved by dramatically improving the chemical treatment process, etc., which is the cause of high costs.

[Development of CNF Utilization Technology Expected to Be Effective in Mass Production]

In order to widely popularize composite materials such as resins and CNFs, NEDO will develop applications for large market segments.

[Development of Evaluation Methods, etc. Necessary for the Dissemination of Results]

NEDO develops safety evaluations to improve the reliability of CNFs usage and develops evaluation methods for CNF-containing products from a life cycle assessment perspective.

Cellulose nanofiber safety evaluation report (Available only in Japanese)

Other technical trend surveys, etc., related to this project are available in the following database. User registration is required (free of charge).
Please enter the project number "P20009" for this project as a search condition.

Results report database (Available only in Japanese)

National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology: AIST Chugoku Information on recruitment of CNF human resource development course students (Available only in Japanese)

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  Tensile strength test of CNF-PP composite material
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  Practical training for TEMPO nanocellulose

Focus NEDO No. 81 (9.6MB) (Published July 2021: Countdown to Commercialization - Cellulose nanofibers)

"Development of Technology for Manufacturing Processes of Chemicals Derived from Inedible Plants" Project period: FY2016 - FY2021

Publication of documents on safety evaluation methods for cellulose nanofibers (Available only in Japanese)

Focus NEDO No. 61 (3.3MB) (Published June 2016: Plant-Based Materials Attract Global Attention! How Cellulose Nanofibers Have Come a Long Way)

Cellulose nanofiber (CNF) is a fiber made from wood that has been finely broken down into nano-sized pieces and is a new bio-based material with various characteristics such as light weight, strength, dimensional stability with little expansion due to heat, and transparency. Its applications range from familiar items such as food, cosmetics, and shoes to large-scale items such as home appliances, automobile bodies, and residential building materials.
In this project, NEDO is engaged in research and development to reduce production costs, develop CNF and products suitable for the intended use, and evaluate safety and life cycle assessment to bring Japanese CNF, which has led the world in research, to the market more quickly and more widely.