Samsung Makes Mobile Phones Out of Corn

Samsung Electronics announced the planned launch of an environment-friendly mobile phone (SCH-W510) made from corn flour for later this month.

W510 uses natural-dissolved bio-plastic made from corn starch for the battery cover and other parts, according to Samsung. Besides the plastic parts, the company applies other environment friendly materials such as anti-bacterial surface coatings to minimize harmful effects of mobile handsets on the nature and the human body.

The Korean cell phone maker says it only uses components that meet the standards of RoHS or the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive for its mobile products. It also applies eco-design practice to development and design of products as well as the choice of material and manufacturing process, the company also says.

Samsung will stop using BFRs for new models to be developed from 2009 and PVC from 2010.

Meanwhile, Samsung will launch SGH-F268 free of BFRs (Brominated flame retardants) and PVC in China later this month. The company introduces F268 as an environment-friendly model excluding BFRs and PVC from accessories such as chargers and headsets as well as from the cell phone itself.