The Sankei Shimbun 
Adhesive made from Euglena processed into a film (left) and the raw material. December 2024, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture.
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The National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) and the Japanese chemical company Asahi Kasei have developed an adhesive from Euglena, a type of plankton. AIST is a public research institution that operates under the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) of Japan.
This new adhesive is stronger than traditional petroleum-based options and could be used in automotive manufacturing. It's easy to remove with heat, reusable, and environmentally friendly.
The adhesive is made by adding fatty acids to paramylon, a component found in Euglena cells. The mixture is then compressed with heat to create a film.
Potential as an Automotive Adhesive
Strength tests by AIST show that the adhesive's bonding strength is 30 megapascals, compared to 24 megapascals for conventional petroleum-based adhesives. This makes it a promising alternative for lightweight automotive structures.
As environmental concerns over the disposal of used cars grow in Europe, the ability to disassemble and reuse car parts is becoming increasingly important.
The euglena-based adhesive, which offers strong bonding and easy removal, has the potential to replace traditional adhesives, which can be difficult to remove.
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Author: The Sankei Shimbun
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