2008 The former Hitachi Cable News Release
Information (including product prices, product specifications, details of services, launch dates, inquiry information, and URLs) contained in this news release is current as of the date of the press release but is subject to change without notice. Please note that details may differ from those effective on the search date.
Tohoku Rubber announces development and launch of COSTAC ECO, an environmentally-friendly non-phthalate ester antistatic color mat
Tohoku Rubber Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Hitachi Cable, Ltd. (headquarters: Sendai, Miyagi; president: Masao Yamaguchi; hereinafter referred to as Tohoku Rubber), announced the development of its non-phthalate COSTAC ECO, a new product in the COSTAC antistatic color mat series . Tohoku Rubber will introduce the new product commercially in December 2008.
Tohoku Rubber manufactures and sells a wide range of rubber sheets to meet diverse customer needs. The COSTAC antistatic color mats, with electrical resistance of 1×106 ohms*1 and static electricity removal time of 0.1 seconds or less *2, are recognized as effective devices for protecting semiconductor components against damage from static electricity. In wide use at factories where semiconductor packages and electronic components are assembled, the series is available in several variants to serve varying needs. COSTAC Tough, for example, is designed for use on floors, while COSTAC Soft is designed to reduce worker fatigue.
With growing concerns for environmental issues, regulations restricting or prohibiting the use of specified toxic substances in products have proliferated. In Europe, EU Directive 76/769/EEC *3 and EU Directive 2005/84/EC *4 now restrict the levels of banned substances six phthalate compounds *5 in toys or child-care products to 1,000 ppm. Toy and child-care product manufactures also face the need to cut use of banned substances in production processes.
To meet these needs, Tohoku Rubber will introduce the non-phthalate COSTAC ECO in December.
Tohoku Rubber's COSTAC ECO contains less than 100 ppm of any of the six phthalate compounds, or approximately one-tenth of the limit specified under EU Directives. In addition to the phthalate compounds restricted by EU Directives, COSTAC ECO contains less than 100 ppm of dimethyl phthalate and diethyl phthalate, fulfilling the requirements of the RoHS Directive *6 and ELV Directive *7 to help achieve environmentally-friendly production processes.
Like all other COSTAC products, COSTAC ECO provides superb performance, maintaining electrical resistance of 1×106 ohms for extended periods. COSTAC ECO is available only in emerald blue to differentiate it from other COSTAC series mats and to indicate that it contains no phthalates.
Tohoku Rubber will seek to expand sales of the COSTAC series, strengthening the lineup to meet various other needs and to increase client awareness of the advantages these products offer with respect to environmental issues.
| *1 | The figure is the measured value obtained under the conditions specified in RECOMMENDED PRACTICES for Protection against Hazards arising out of Static Electricity in General Industries established by the National Institute of Industrial Safety. |
| *2 | This figure represents the results achieved when a worker stands on COSTAC while wearing antistatic shoes. |
| *3 | EU (European Union) Directive 76/769/EEC regulations restrict commercial sales of products containing hazardous substances or use of hazardous substances in product preparation or use. |
| *4 | EU (European Union) Directive 2005/84/EC regulations address toys and child-care products. |
| *5 | Six phthalate compounds are banned under EU Directives 76/769/EEC and 2005/84/EC: diethylhexyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, butyl benzyl phthalate, di-isononyl phthalate, di-isodecyl phthalate, and dioctyl phthalate. |
| *6 | In EU nations, the RoHS (Restrictions on the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Directive restricts the use of specified toxic substances (lead, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, mercury, polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE)) in electrical and electronic equipment. |
| *7 | The EU ELV (End of Life Vehicles) Directive prohibits the use of specified substances in vehicle parts. |
Photo of COSTAC ECO
Standard specifications
| Dimensions | 2 mm thick × 1,000 mm wide × 10 m long |
|---|---|
| Color | Emerald blue |
Custom sizes available. Inquire with Tohoku Rubber for available dimensions.
Phthalate compound content
| Item | Content* |
|---|---|
| Diethylhexyl phthalate | < 20 ppm |
| Dibutyl phthalate | < 20 ppm |
| Butyl benzyl phthalate | < 20 ppm |
| Di-isononyl phthalate | < 100 ppm |
| Di-isodecyl phthalate | < 100 ppm |
| Dioctyl phthalate | < 20 ppm |
| Dimethyl phthalate | < 20 ppm |
| Diethyl phthalate | < 20 ppm |
*Content is measured by gas chromatography mass spectrometry.
Tohoku Rubber Profile
| Representative | Masao Yamaguchi, President |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | 1-1-12 Minato, Miyagino-ku, Sendai, Miyagi Pref. |
| Capital | 276 million yen |
| Shareholders | Hitachi Cable: 61.7% Others: 38.3% |
| Sales | 5,905 million yen (fiscal year 2008) |
| Lines of business | Manufacture and sale of industrial rubber products |
Contact
Hiroshi Ishii, Engineering Development Department
Tohoku Rubber Co., Ltd.
1-1-12 Minato, Miyagino-ku, Sendai, Miyagi Pref. 983-0001
TEL: +81-22-387-1511
hiroshi_ishii@mail.tohoku-rubber.co.jp