Advantages of Chafflose sponges ■Cotton fluff is processed into a semi-processed article that is used to make Chafflose. Eco-friendly. ■The sponge does not produce toxic substances when burned. Biodegradable. ■The sponge consists entirely of natural materials.

　　Details regarding the development of Chafflose

　Conventional polyurethane sponges, which are usually made with foamed Freon or substitute gases, cause the depletion of the ozone layer. They produce dioxin when burned. They are not biodegradable when buried underground. As environmental issues became more serious, there was a growing demand for an alternative to these sponges. Then, sponges that consist entirely of natural materials became the focus. In the U.S., sponges are generally made from pulp, which in turn contributes to the destruction of forests. This means there is little difference between sponges made from non-wood paper or recycled paper and those made from Freon.

　Our company focused on using reeds, Japanese pampas grass, and other non-wood materials to make sponges. These sponges should not produce toxic substances when burned and they should be biodegradable when buried underground. A sponge that comes from the earth and returns to the earth would match the rhythm of the earth's cycles.

　At present, Japan annually imports 600 thousand to 700 thousand tons of cotton, about 15% (about 100 thousand tons) of which is changed into fluff. Of the waste fluff, quality fluff is used in absorbent cotton or bedding, but only about 3% of the fluff is recycled. Thus, Nisshinbo and Chafflose Corporation decided to form a partnership. We are now separately producing sponges that contain fluff processed into a semi-processed article. Thus, an eco-friendly sponge was developed. We are recycling 70% of the fluff that had been disposed of before.

　　This product makes effective use of waste, consists entirely of natural materials, and does not affect the environment, reflecting an attitude required in industrial operations for the 21st century.