Co-creation to Utilize “Modified Lignin,“ a New Material that is Sustainable and Plant-Derived
The importance of carbon neutrality has increased in recent years, and society as a whole is being called upon to reduce the use of petroleum resources. Specific expectations include promoting resource circulation for plastics and replacing petroleum-based raw materials with bio-based raw materials.
Mizuno uses fiber-reinforced plastics (FRP), which feature lightweight performance and high strength, in a wide range of products, including golf club shafts, bats, and rackets. We worked on development with the idea that applying plant-derived materials to these kinds of FRPs could help reduce environmental impact.
In order to increase the plant-derived content of FRP products, we engaged in co-creation with the Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute (FFPRI), and the Osaka Research Institute of Industrial Science and Technology (ORIST) . By extracting “modified lignin” from wood and using it as an FRP material, we succeeded in further enhancing FRP performance.
Key Points of Development
What Prompted the R&D
In addition to the baseball bats that we still manufacture today, Mizuno has in the past brought wooden sporting goods to market, including golf clubs and ski boards. From the perspective of resource reuse, we considered whether broken bats and the shavings and offcuts generated during manufacturing could be transformed into new products, and, in the course of that examination, we focused on a material called “lignin.”
What is Lignin?
Lignin is a substance that makes up approximately 30% of wood, and it has attracted attention as a component that contributes to wood’s strength and durability. However, the properties of lignin differ depending on the type of plant. The large variability in lignin’s properties, along with the fact that it is prone to alteration, means that it has been difficult to use as a high-performance industrial material.
In recent years, FFPRI developed a method to stably and simply extract a new material called “modified lignin ,” using domestically sourced Japanese cedar (sugi) as a raw material.
Since 2020, Mizuno has participated in and collaborated with the Regional Lignin Resource Development Network (commonly known as the “Lignin Network”) , which was established to build a network aimed at the industrialization of bio-based new materials, including modified lignin, leading to this co-creation.
Co-creation in the Development of FRP Materials Utilizing Modified Lignin
To utilize modified lignin, we conducted research and development through co-creation with FFPRI and ORIST, aiming to use it as a raw material for the FRP matrix resin.*1 First, at the MIZUNO ENGINE*2 innovation center where we can rapidly cycle through the “measure,” “try,” and “test” steps, we proceeded with prototyping and verifying materials and processing methods, starting with an effort to understand the material’s basic performance characteristics.
Through this work, we identified the potential of using modified lignin as a matrix resin and went on to create a concept model.
*1 Matrix resin: One of the materials that make up FRP. When the resin hardens, it functions like an adhesive that fixes the fibers in place, making it possible to mold the material into a variety of shapes. Petroleum-derived resins are generally used as matrix resins for FRP.
*2 “Mizuno’s Innovation Center Set to Open in November” (began operating in November 2022)
https://corp.mizuno.com/en/news/20221108
Exhibiting the “SETTA” Concept Model at a Trade Show
At the Lignin Network booth for GREEN MATERIAL 2026, a trade show to be held at Tokyo Big Sight exhibition center from January 28 to January 30, 2026, we will display the “Setta” concept model, which utilizes modified lignin, a first for the sports industry (setta are a type of traditional Japanese sandal). The “Setta” not only incorporates an FRP plate that utilizes modified lignin, but in many of its components it also uses sustainable materials such as natural materials and recycled materials. At the same time, like the SETTA featuring a carbon plate*3 that are currently sold by Mizuno, they are designed to deliver a unique rolling sensation and a comfortable fit with elasticity.
*3 “SETTA C/Reborn: Sandals Made with Recycled Carbon Fiber”
https://corp.mizuno.com/en/articles/0082
Future Plans
As one of Mizuno’s initiatives toward realizing a sustainable society, in the course of this research we assessed the performance of modified lignin, a new plant-derived material, and created a concept model that utilizes it. Going forward, we will continue to examine ways to develop a variety of FRP products utilizing modified lignin.
Since the 1990s, Mizuno has actively engaged in environmental conservation activities for over 30 years. As a sports manufacturer, we will continue to pursue co-creation with a variety of companies and organizations while moving forward with research and development on materials, designs, and manufacturing methods with lower environmental impact.
