DENSO Corporation, the Japan-headquartered global supplier of automotive components has developed a plant-derived resin radiator tank using an organic compound derived from castor-oil tree*. The plant-derived resin, which DENSO jointly developed with DuPont Kabushiki Kaisha, is produced by a chemical reaction between two organic compounds that are derived from castor-oil tree and petroleum. An additive, such as glass fiber, is then added to the substance to produce the resin. Plant-derived ingredient comprises about 40% of the eco-friendly resin.
The company is expected to start mass-producing this new product in Spring of 2009 for vehicles sold worldwide Compared to conventional products, the new radiator tank releases less carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions into the atmosphere during its life cycle because it is partially made from material extracted from plants, which absorb CO2 through the photosynthesis process. The new product also helps conserve oil, a fossil fuel which is being depleted. Generally, the cost increases for on-board devices that need to be resistant to calcium-chloride, which is contained in large amounts in snow-melting agents dispensed on the road in many colder regions. The newly developed radiator tank is more than seven times more resistant to calcium chloride and can be produced at lower cost compared to conventional products designed for cold regions.
21-Jan-09 
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