VN-Japan project unveils protein-free natural rubber

HA NOI (VNS) — Vietnamese and Japanese researchers from the Ha Noi-based University of Science and Technology, Rubber Research Institute of Viet Nam and Nagaoka University of Technology have collaborated to develop an environment-friendly and sophisticatedly deproteinised natural rubber.

Natural rubber usually causes skin allergy. Vietnamese and Japanese researchers have collaborated to develop an environment-friendly and protein-free natural rubber.

"Allergy is one of the serious problems using natural rubber gloves. We can solve this problem," Professor Masao Fukuda from Nagaoka University of Technology said at a symposium today in Ha Noi.

He said as his invented natural rubber contains no protein, it does not cause allergy. Some companies have tested its safety in their products.

The invention is an outstanding achievement, resulting from a collaborative project entitled "Establishment of carbon-cycle-system with natural rubber" (ESCANBER).

The project, launched by Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in 2011, aims to prevent global warming with collaborative research on natural rubber between institutions in Viet Nam and Japan.

Over the past five years, the researchers have improved the development of highly functional polymer derived from natural rubber and technology to produce bio-fuel from waste wood, besides advanced methane-producing treatment technology of rubber industry wastewater.

JICA representative Naohiro Youshida said Viet Nam was one of the largest rubber-exporting countries. The project is of great significance to the country. It helps to promote environment-friendly products made of natural rubber, contributing to the rubber industry and reduction of carbon dioxide emissions in Viet Nam.

Nguyen Xuan Tien, deputy head of the Foreign Economic Relations Department under the planning and investment ministry, praised the project's achievements, saying that its products contributed to Viet Nam's sustainable development.

He said the Vietnamese government highly appreciated technical projects supported by Japan, connecting Vietnamese and Japanese researchers. He said he hoped the project's results would be soon applied in reality, contributing to strategic partnership between the two countries. 

Khoa Le

Source: Vietnam News