ABOUT URCYL

URUSHI resin has been used in Japan for over 10,000 years as a coating and adhesive for household items. It shares the same chemical structure as a type of petroleum-derived plastic.

By combining URUSHI resin with fine wood flour sourced from thinned wood and scraps, we have developed a new material called URCYL, promoting a more organic coexistence between humanity and the planet.

Until now, artificially germinating URUSHI seeds was deemed impossible. However, we have succeeded in germinating them for the first time in history.

From this point forward, we are committed to cultivating our URUSHI seedlings, planting trees, and extracting their resin for purposeful use.

This new material, URCYL, is derived from the URUSHI tree, which takes only about 15 years to produce resin—unlike petroleum, which requires millions of years to form before it can be extracted.

URCYL is a sustainable material with limitless potential, capable of being recycled within the span of a human lifetime, rather than in a distant future.

ADVANTAGES OF URCYL

  • 01

    STRUCTURE

    Shares the chemical structure of
    certain petroleum plastics.

  • 02

    CYCLE

    Can be harvested in a short cycle of
    approximately 15 years from germination.

  • 03

    FUNCTION

    Exceptionally durable, yet versatile
    enough to
    support the development
    of a wide range of products.

OUR STATEMENT

ELEMUS is a pioneering company dedicated to the development and production of URCYL, while also driving research and innovation across diverse material fields. Our vision is to contribute meaningfully to society by harnessing the transformative potential of unique Japanese technologies and materials, ensuring that future generations enjoy safety, security, and comfort for the next century.

While many of the unique Japanese skills and culture that have been handed down over hundreds and thousands of years are being lost due to an over-emphasis on efficiency and productivity, there are still many outstanding technologies that exist even in this day and age.

We strive to develop regenerative materials that pave the way for a sustainable future by rediscovering time-honored techniques worthy of preservation, uncovering their intrinsic value, and seamlessly merging them with modern technology.

ELEMUS CO.

ABOUT URUSHI

URUSHI has been a traditional and familiar material in Japan for over 10,000 years, serving as a coating and adhesive in daily life. With a chemical structure similar to petroleum-derived plastics and the ability to harden when heated, it offers the potential to develop a wide range of highly durable products as a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics.

With this perspective in mind, we have focused on developing this innovative material by cultivating our own URUSHI seedlings, planting trees, and extracting resin.

Additionally, URUSHI trees absorb carbon dioxide during their growth and store it within their structure, making them an efficient means of reducing atmospheric CO₂ through sequestration. In essence, the more we utilize URUSHI, the more we contribute to a positive cycle of carbon reduction.

URUSHI TREES

For centuries, the artificial germination of URUSHI seeds was deemed impossible. Yet, through meticulous research of historical manuscripts and academic studies on URUSHI, coupled with collaborative efforts with a university, we achieved a groundbreaking milestone in 2021: the world’s first successful artificial germination of URUSHI.

We are currently engaged in cultivation activities in the upland regions of Aichi Prefecture, in collaboration with local governments, residents, and NPOs. Our approach, which encompasses the cultivation of URUSHI-producing trees and the manufacturing of molded products, represents a pioneering advancement in environmental material technology—offering a world-class alternative to petroleum-based plastics.

URUSHI trees exhibit relatively rapid growth, with resin harvesting possible approximately 15 years after germination. In stark contrast, the formation of petroleum requires an unfathomable 60 to 200 million years for organic matter to fossilize, highlighting the undeniable advantages of URUSHI in terms of both productivity and sustainability.

STRUCTURE OF URCYL

The new material, URCYL, is created by combining the sap of the URUSHI tree, cultivated and harvested by ELEMUS, with our core technology of wood powdering. Through the application of heat, it transforms into its final form. With its innovation and uniqueness, URCYL has been patented in both Japan and the EU.

Building on our groundbreaking success in germinating and cultivating the URUSHI, we have developed a proprietary technology that integrates the pulverization of wood, including offcuts, with a commitment to traceability and quality. This innovation has led to the creation of industrial products and expanded application possibilities. It is increasingly recognized as a strategic approach to fully utilizing and optimizing wood resources.

URCYL, crafted by blending the sap of the fast-growing URUSHI tree with wood responsibly sourced from rich forests while minimizing waste, is a material designed to have minimal environmental impact. From the standpoint of decarbonization and carbon neutrality, it represents an innovative solution that aligns seamlessly with global sustainability demands.

THE PROCESS

  • 01

    Raw materials, including thinned wood and
    offcuts, are finely chipped and dried to precise
    standards. Both hardwood and softwood serve
    as suitable raw materials.

  • 02

    The dried wood chips are finely pulverized
    using specialized equipment. This process
    ensures the production of wood flour with an
    optimal particle size, which can be precisely
    adjusted to meet the specific requirements of
    each distinct URCYL application.

  • 03

    The natural resin of URUSHI is predominantly
    composed of urushiol, which constitutes
    70-80% of its composition. In addition, it
    contains water, tannins, rubber, enzymes, and
    other elements. The proportions of these
    constituents can vary depending on the harvest
    time and location, necessitating careful
    analysis and precise adjustment. Given that
    contact with urushiol can induce resin
    dermatitis, stringent safety protocols are
    enforced throughout the production process.

  • 04

    The raw materials for URCYL consist solely of
    pulverized wood flour and URUSHI resin,
    without any additives. This manufacturing
    technology is based on a joint patent with the
    Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Technology
    Research Institute and has been exclusively
    developed. The technology undergoes
    progressive evolution with the guidance of
    Professor Emeritus Toshio Ogawa, a leading
    expert in polymer and URUSHI resin
    technologies at Kanazawa Institute of
    Technology.

  • 05

    Urushiol, a thermosetting resin, possesses the
    inherent property of solidifying when exposed
    to heat. By placing the URCYL powder into a
    mold and applying pressure, the process of
    continuous molding is seamlessly enabled.

  • 06

    URCYL employs a highly refined process in
    which we harvest resin from URUSHI trees that
    we have cultivated from seed, perform fine
    pulverization of sustainably sourced wood, and
    produce the raw materials using our proprietary
    patented method. The resulting materials are
    then molded to create the final product.
    At present, the URUSHI trees we are cultivating
    are still in their early stages, with plans to
    produce resin in-house in the near future. This
    initiative marks the culmination of decades of
    accumulated expertise and cultural heritage in
    Japan, embodying a forward-thinking approach
    to manufacturing that we place in the hands of
    future generations and the global community.

SUMMARY

Through the development of URCYL, our goal is to integrate technological innovation inspired by Japan’s traditional techniques and philosophies, alongside advancing the creation of environmentally harmonious materials.

We are currently collaborating with prestigious national universities and research institutions in Japan to pioneer the genetic development of new species of URUSHI trees, as well as to cultivate URUSHI trees with enhanced characteristics through hybridization.

In parallel, we are revitalizing economic activities in rural, mountainous regions by evaluating the carbon fixation potential of URUSHI trees, thereby strengthening our commitment to building a sustainable, carbon-neutral society.

Moreover, our research delves deeper into the chemical properties of URUSHI resin, with the aim of transforming these insights into higher-performance products. In addition to these advancements, we are designing new products utilizing wood flour and optimizing manufacturing processes for greater efficiency.

Through these collaborative efforts, we aim to deliver even more transformative solutions by integrating the forefront of scientific and technological advancements.