VIETNAMESE and Japanese scientists concluding the 2nd TCVN -ISO meeting on establishing standard for protein-free natural rubber project, held in Ho Chi Minh city, have introduced the outcome of their latest joint research.
Some 50 senior members of Vietnam Rubber Group (VRG) companies, scientists from HUST, RRIV and NUT attended the event, which covered several achievements on measuring natural rubber, purifying rubber latex and developing new materials derived from purified rubber.
The research will support Vietnam establish standards for protein-free natural rubber, which will create the foundation for the future development of natural rubber in the country.
Products made of natural rubber are environmentally friendly but may cause the rubber latex protein allergy since current purifying measures are not able to remove all proteins.
The workshop was co-organised by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) and the Vietnam Standards Association. It is a part of the project “Establishment of Carbon-Cycle-System with Natural Rubber” (JST – JICA ESCANBER), which is being carried out from April 2011 to March 2016 with the participation of researchers from both countries.
Japanese project manager Professor Masao Fukuda said the project aims to assist Vietnam in replacing synthetic rubber made from fossil materials with natural rubber, which will help reduce green house gases.
With Vietnam’s rubber industry gaining grounds in recent years, promoting the use of products from natural rubber will support the country’s “green” development.