Yamaha YRA-402B Ecodear Plant-Based Alto Recorder

The Yamaha YRA-402B Ecodear Alto Recorder uses plant-based material to create a new kind of plastic. As unique and great as this environmental friendlienss is, the sound of the recorder is even more amazing. As the Ecodear material is more dense than standard ABS, the resulting tone is complex and centered, and more closely approaches the sound of a wood recorder.

Materials that are gentle on the environment

Bodies made of plant-based “Ecodear” plastic: the world’s first application* of environmentally friendly plant based materials in a musical instrument. * As a musical instruments commercially available, according to Yamaha research in June 2014.

Improved instrument performance

The change in material has resulted in a mellow, centered tone that is similar to that of wood recorders, plus improved breath response and high-register control.

Newly adopted plant-like colors

Bright colors chosen to elicit the image of plants such as corn and others have been used in the recorders and cases for the first time.

Plant-based plastic “Ecodear”

"Ecodear" plastic is a plant-based material created by combining polylactic acid (PLA)* derived from plants with other materials through an original Toray polymer alloy process, achieving characteristics that are similar to conventional oil-based resins.* Plant-based PLA Compound ResinPlant-based PLA compound resin is produced from plant starch (corn is the main ingredient currently used) via a process that includes lactic acid fermentation and polymerization.The "Ecodear" used in the YRS-401 and YRS-402B recorders is a compound of polylactic acid and ABS resin (3:7 ratio) that has about the same workability, durability, strength, and appearance as conventional ABS resin, while reducing CO2 emissions by approximately 20%. CO2 emission for the production of 1,000,000 recorders is reduced by approximately 230 tons: equivalent to the CO2 that would be produced by a car*1 traveling around the earth 25 times.*2 *1: 10 liters/100 km gas mileage. *2: The circumference of the earth is approximately 40,000 kilometers.“Ecodear” is a safe material that has been used in home appliances, office equipment, and a variety of other items.

Why is plant-based plastic gentle on the environment?

1. Reduced CO2 emissions - Plants grow by absorbing CO2 that would otherwise add to the global warming problem. Even though plant-based plastic results in the same CO2 emissions as other materials during manufacture, use, and disposal, the total amount of CO2 produced is reduced by the amount absorbed during growth.

2. Reduced use of oil - Oil is the main raw material used in plastics, but reserves are limited and will be depleted in the not-so-distant future. By replacing a portion of the raw material requirements with plant-based materials the total amount of oil used can be reduced, thereby prolonging the availability of fossil resources.

Certified as Yamaha Eco-Products

Plant-based Plastic Recorders are certified as Yamaha Eco-Products, which is a certification established by Yamaha for products that meet the standards of “Product Environmental Quality Objectives”.

Model:	YRA-402B
Manufacturer:	Yamaha