Honda uses corn to build its motorcycles!

Honda deploys innovative alternative materials in its motorcycle lineup, aiming to reduce its environmental footprint.

At the heart of Honda’s approach is DURABIO, a bio-based technical plastic derived from isosorbide, which itself is sourced from non-edible corn starch.

The process begins with the hydrolysis of starch: corn is converted into glucose through enzymatic or hydrolytic means. The glucose is then converted into sorbitol, an intermediate polyol, through catalytic reduction. Finally, sorbitol undergoes intramolecular cyclization to form isosorbide, a rigid, crystalline monomer. Isosorbide can then be polymerized to yield DURABIO, an amorphous polymer exhibiting a rare combination of optical transparency, impact resistance, and thermal and UV stability.

Anything but a marketing gimmick

Honda was the first manufacturer to integrate DURABIO into a motorcycle fairing, on the CRF1100L Africa Twin, and is now expanding its use to six models in the 2026 lineup, from the X-ADV to the Forza 750, including the NT1100, NC750X, and CB1000GT. Parts made from DURABIO feature high scratch resistance, great mechanical strength, and excellent color retention, allowing for the elimination of certain painting and finishing steps, thereby reducing CO2 emissions.

At the same time, Honda is incorporating recycled plastics from production scraps and automotive bumpers, transformed into pellets and reused in components such as the trunk of the NC750X or the base of the saddle of the Forza 750. These materials maintain mechanical properties comparable to virgin plastics while limiting the consumption of fossil resources.

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This initiative aligns with the “Triple Action to Zero” policy, targeting carbon neutrality by 2050 through clean energy, emission reductions, and resource circulation. The use of DURABIO illustrates the convergence of green chemistry and mechanical engineering: a bio-based polymer capable of meeting the technical constraints of modern motorcycles while reducing environmental impact.

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