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Monday, July 16, 2007

Riding on Eggshells?

JULY 23, 2007
Nissan Motor (NSANY ) says fabric coated with the thin translucent inner lining of eggshells is super comfortable.In January it introduced a textile coated with eggshell membranes as an option on its special-edition Bluebird Sylphy, making it standard for the midsize sedan in May. To develop the coating, it tapped Japan's Idemitsu Techno Fine, which uses membranes harvested from the discarded eggshells of a mayonnaise maker. The powdered membrane is applied to the cloth used for seats, head rests, and door trimmings. Idemitsu claims the coating absorbs moisture and reduces static electricity. It already markets the fabric for use in shoes, clothes, panty hose, and bedding.Japanese sumo wrestlers apply eggshell membrane directly to their skin to get rid of scars—a practice that originated with traditional Chinese healers. Nissan hopes the qualities it's claiming for the membrane-coated fabric will lure female car buyers. The move is also part of a push to incorporate more eco-friendly materials into its vehicles, says spokeswoman Pauline Kee. Other carmakers, too, have played up the natural origins of their auto interiors to bolster their green credentials: DaimlerChrysler (DCX ) uses coconut fibers, hemp, and sisal to stuff seats and head rests. Mitsubishi Motors has developed a bamboo-based plastic. And Ford (F ) is experimenting with seat foam made from soybeans.By Kenji Hall

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