Honda has adopted Mitsubishi Chemical Group's (MCG Group) bio-based engineering plastic, DURABIO™, for the tinted body and windshield of its X-ADV motorcycle, which will be sold from December 12, 2024 in Japan.
In addition to providing the toughness and other properties required for motorcycle bodywork components, DURABIO™ can be used to give a glossy, sophisticated appearance with the addition of colorants. The ability to eliminate the added value of the traditional paint process was a major factor in the decision to use DURABIO™ for this application, marking the first time it has been used in a motorcycle's paint-free bodywork.
When used in Honda motorcycle windshields, DURABIO™ has been praised for its excellent headwind protection. In addition to its use in the X-ADV, it is also used in the bodywork and windshields of the FORZA 750 and NC750X models already launched in Europe.
DURABIO™ is a bio-based engineering plastic made from isosorbide, a renewable plant-derived raw material. It helps reduce the consumption of petroleum, a finite and non-renewable resource, and contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, as the plants that provide the raw materials absorb carbon dioxide as they grow.DURABIO™, with its excellent toughness, scratch resistance, and color rendering, is used in a wide range of applications, such as interior and exterior automotive parts, components for optical and electronic devices, and other products used in daily life. Through the development of DURABIO™, the Mitsubishi Chemical Group continues to provide high value-added products that contribute to the realization of a sustainable society.
