Press Release Back Number(2004)

Production and Sales Commence for PLASH, a New Plastic Raw Material Derived from Coal Ash

April 15, 2004

Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc. and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. announced the successful joint development of PLASH, a new plastic raw material derived from the coal ash, a by-product of coal-fired power plants. Mitsuboshi Chemical, the first product licensor, launched manufacturing and sales of the new material this month.
PLASH is created by combining polypropylene (a core element in plastic production) with coal ash (fly ash*). Polypropylene is used to make plastic products that need to be both light and strong, like bumpers and hubcaps. To enhance strength, a reinforcing material is conventionally added to polypropylene.

*A type of coal ash produced from burned coal and collected by electric dust filters. PLASH is based on our discovery of an additive agent that strengthens the molecular bonds between polypropylene and fly ash. By mixing in fly ash at a ratio of 60 percent by weight, we produced a more wear-resistant plastic material with improved flexing strength than conventional materials based on polypropylene alone.

The name PLASH is coined from the "pl" in plastics and "ash" in fly ash. Chubu Electric and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries are currently registering the name as a joint trademark.

Since last November, we have provided samples of the material to a dozen manufacturers engaged in plastic molding, asking them to investigate the possibilities of developing practical products using PLASH. We expect PLASH to be applied to a wide range of uses, including automobile parts, garden supplies and planters, building materials, and electronic/electric appliances parts.

We intend to continue pursuing the development of other products that incorporate coal ash to find additional applications for this by-product material.

PLASH Features:

  1. (1) Eco-friendly, recycled plastic raw material from coal ash
  2. (2) PLASH offers the following advantages over polypropylene:
  1. 1) improved flexing strength2) reduced contraction rate during molding
  2. 2) reduced contraction rate during molding
  3. 3) usable in water due to its density and weight
  4. 4) better wear resistance
  1. (3) Gives a lustrous look or a glaze-free effect to plastic products.