Japan eyes cellulose nanofibre that's stronger than steel

Tokyo

THE molecules of plant fibres are being transformed into a lightweight material five times stronger than steel that can be used to make everything from car parts to electronic displays.

No wonder the technology, called cellulose nanofibre, has piqued interest in Japan, where manufacturers in the world's third largest economy import almost all the metal and fuel they need. The new material is derived from common things such as trees, rice straw and orange peel, which means supply is plentiful and more environmentally friendly than what's used now.