Marubeni Corporation (“Marubeni”) and Chuetsu Pulp & Paper Co., Ltd. (“Chuetsu Pulp”) have been promoting the development of applications of ACC cellulose nanofibers*1 (“CNF”) in the agricultural field. Their collaborative efforts to promote nanoforest🄬 -S [Agri], a new physical pest control material for plants using CNF (“this material”), have been approved by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan as an “Implementation Plan for a Project to Establish the Foundation Based on the Strategy for Sustainable Food Systems, MIDORI .”*2 This material is a new agricultural material using CNF and can be used for cultivation of various vegetables and fruits. When sprayed on plants, the microfibers contained in this material cover the leaf surface*3 and physically prevent the invasion of pathogens, thus contributing to a reduction in the use of chemical pesticides. One of the goals set by the Strategy for Sustainable Food Systems, MIDORI is to reduce by 50% the risk-weighted*4 use of these pesticides by 2050, which can be achieved in part with the spread and expansion of this material. 

Through this certification, Marubeni and Chuetsu Pulp will promote the conversion from chemical pesticides to physical pest control materials and develop sales channels in the fungicide market (domestic shipment value of 73 billion yen) while promoting demonstration tests with a view to expanding its use in agricultural fields.

*1 ACC cellulose nanofiber (CNF):
The underwater counter-impact method (ACC method) is when microfibers are obtained by using the power of water to loosen wood without using chemicals. It has a hydrophobic surface and exhibits “amphiphilic” characteristics. It is manufactured and sold under the product name “nanoforestⓇ” at Cheuest Pulp.

*2 Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries: Status of Approval of an Implementation Plan for Infrastructure Establishment Projects and Machinery Eligible for the Green Investment Promotion Tax Credit
(Click here for more information on the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries website in Japanese)

*3 Fine fibers on the leaf surface: CNF adheres to the leaf surface and blocks the entry of filamentous fungi and bacteria into the leaf interior. Due to its amphiphilic nature, CNF adheres easily to water-repellent leaf surfaces, and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) of leaf surfaces shows CNF adhering to the pores as well.

*4 Risk conversion: It is calculated as the sum of the “amount of active ingredient-based pesticide shipments” of individual pesticides multiplied by a “risk conversion factor” determined based on the ADI (acceptable daily intake), an indicator of toxicity to humans (“chemical pesticide use (risk conversion)”). This was established at the 25th meeting of the Agricultural Chemicals Subcommittee of the Agricultural Materials Council (Click here for more information regarding this meeting in Japanese).

Related News Releases:
Jul. 11, 2022 
Start of Test Sales of Agricultural Materials Using Cellulose Nanofibers
https://www.marubeni.com/en/news/2022/release/00048.html

Nov. 15, 2021 
Notice Regarding the Launch of Cellulose Nanofiber-based Environment Improvement Material Sales for Hen Houses
https://www.marubeni.com/en/news/2021/release/20211115E.pdf

Apr. 25, 2017 
Marubeni and Chuetsu Sign a Memorandum of Understanding for Developing the Application and Sales of Cellulose Nanofiber
https://www.marubeni.com/en/news/2017/release/20170425_eng.pdf

Inquiries regarding the product:
 Nano Forest Division, Development Division, Chuetsu Pulp & Paper Co. TEL: +81-3-6811-2969
 Pulp Dept., Marubeni Corporation TEL: +81-3-3282-4359

Inquiries regarding this news release:
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