When a man who loves things that go ‘boom’ met a men who loves things that go ‘bloom,’ they realized there was much to gain from an alliance.
Hence, Ryukoku University professor Takahiko Nakaoki and president of Kakinoki Fireworks Industry Co. have created and brought to market what may be the world’s first water-soluble fireworks shells and canisters.
“Of the 20,000 fireworks (we plan to produce this year), I want 10,000 to be eco-friendly ones,” said President Hiroyuki Kakinoki, according to the Mainichi Shimbun.
Mr. Kakinoki met professor Nakaoki in 2018, when the former had been trying to R&D more environmentally friendly fireworks shells, but had then lately abandoned the effort due to repeated failures working with resins.
Rather than develop an entirely new material, the new shells use a water-soluble resin commonly applied to agricultural seeds and soil improvers. Becoming sloughy like hot caramel when wet, the shell can vanish into the ecosystem through this already-approved harmless medium, and no street-sweeper need be troubled in the days after a holiday.
A lot of Japanese fireworks shows occur near water bodies, like large rivers, lakes, or the ocean, meaning most casings will vanish within hours.
Kraft paper is used to keep moisture away from the shell in packaging and storage, but compared to previous use, the water-soluble fireworks will use about half as much paper.
SHARE This Great Development In Fireworks Technology With Your Friends…
