Vietnamese and Japanese scientists introduced the outcome of their
latest joint research on methods to remove proteins from natural rubber
at a workshop in Ho Chi Minh City on August 21.
The
research will help establish standards for protein-free natural rubber
in Vietnam, 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 event saw the introduction
of some achievements on measuring natural rubber, purifying rubber
latex and developing new materials derived from purified rubber.
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.
Additionally, with the rapid growth of Vietnam’s rubber industry in recent years, promoting the use of products from
natural rubber will fuel the country’s “green” development.-VNA