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July
6, 2000
Nisshin Steel Co., Ltd. |
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Begin Using Endocrine Disruptor-Free "ANESIZ" Eco-Dishes for School Lunches |
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Nisshin Steel
Co., Ltd., teamed up with Able Inc., located in Tsubame City in Niigata
Prefecture, and Denson, located in Yashio City in Saitama Prefecture, have
developed endocrine disruptor-free "ANESIZ*" eco-dishes. The product is
now being used for school lunches throughout Japan. *ANESIZ means "peace of mind" in Greek. The shift to reinforced ceramic or stainless steel dishes for serving school lunches began to attract interest when it was discovered that dishes made of polycarbonate and related materials release endocrine disruptors, which are potentially hazardous to one's health. However, there were questions regarding the safety and functionality of ceramic as it is fragile and heavy. As to steel, although it is sanitary and durable, children cannot hold it when hot items are placed in it, not an ideal material for use at school. The endocrine disruptor-free ANESIZ eco-dishes were developed as compound dishes with the inner surface made of 18-8 stainless steel and the outer surface of polypropene resin. These colorful steel dishes are light and have superior heat-insulation and heat-retention properties, and make minimal noise when handled. A new bonding method - for which a patent has been applied for by the three companies developing the product - that uses resin input pressure to bond stainless steel and polypropylene resin has been adopted, thus eliminating the bonding adhesive and packing. (See Note) Also the stainless steel and resin that make up ANESIZ are vacuum bonded, because much air between stainless steel and resin would cause resin to weaken when the air expands during boiling and heat-drying for sterilization and disinfecting. With the bonding method adopted for ANESIZ eco-dishes, chemical substances are not released from the bonding adhesive or other materials, and when the dishes are disposed of the stainless steel and resin are easily separated, making recycling possible. As of July 2000, about 30,000 ANESIZ dishes are in use at seven school lunch centers. Furthermore, most local governments have requested samples so that they can study the use of the dishes. Note: About the Bonding Method for Stainless Steel and Resin Bonding adhesives are commonly used in bonding stainless steel and resins for simplicity, but chemical substances are released from the bonding adhesives, and recyclability is compromised. Other bonding methods include; stainless steel and resin are produced separately, overlapped, and the ends are sealed with caulk. However, the seal is not tight enough, which poses a sanitation threat. Overseas, dishes with resin packing between steel and resin are used, but the release of chemical substances remains a problem. Inquiries: 1) Nisshin Steel Co., Ltd., Joint Stainless Steel Business Division Stainless Steel Administration Department, Marketing and Products Development Team Tel: 03-3216-6258 Email: n04389@nisshin-steel.co.jp 2) Shinwa Kigyo Co., Ltd. (Nisshin Steel Group) Commercial Division Tel: 03-3553-8514 |
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