#Recycling / Circular Economy

2021-11-04

Teijin’s high-performance materials on display at COP26

The Teijin Group announced today that its high-performance materials used by the Envision Racing Formula E Team for all-electric-vehicle racing are being displayed at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), which is currently being held at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in Glasgow.

The world’s first electric two-seater formula race car, which incorporates Teijin’s TenaxTM carbon fiber, is on display in COP26’s Blue Zone, organized by United Nations, where government officials are gathering. The vehicle was developed by the Envision Racing Team in partnership with Johnson Matthey, a leader in sustainable technologies. TenaxTM, which combines strength, high modulus elasticity and low density, assures top mechanical performance even in high heat, design freedom and driver safety.

World's first two-seat EV racing car which incorporates Tenax™ © 2021 Teijin

Also, Envision Racing's driver suits designed by OMP Racing and incorporating Teijin's meta-aramid Teijinconex® neo is on display in the Green Zone at COP26, where members of civil society, academia, art, business, etc. are gathering. The outer layer of the garment consists of an ultra-light fabric made with Teijinconex® neo to resist temperatures of up to 400°C (750°F) without burning or melting. Teijinconex® neo is produced in line with leading chemical industry environmental standards, including REACH.

Teijin, which is committed to supporting the society of the future, has established long-term goals for internal net-zero emissions by fiscal 2050. The targets include reducing internal CO2 emissions by 30% and two-thirds of total supply-chain emissions by 15% as of 2030 compared to 2018 levels.

Teijin’s TenaxTM carbon fibers and intermediate materials are being applied in the renewable energy field, including large wind-power turbine blades, advanced aircraft wings and hydrogen tanks. TenaxTM also is used to achieve increased production speed and safety, extended design freedom and customer targets for increased sustainability.

Racing suit made with Teijinconex® neo © 2021 Teijin

Teijin’s aramid business, which has been mechanically recycling end-of-life para-aramid Twaron® products into pulp for over 20 years, is now exploring new recycling possibilities for other aramid products. For example, it is using para-aramid yarn in recycling trials by adding recycled yarn in the spinning process. It is also working to create high-quality fiber by regenerating pre- and post-consumer meta-aramid-based materials from protective textiles. Teijin aims to build the circular performance economy by creating a circular value chain by minimizing both waste and the use of virgin materials. To achieve these ambitions, Teijin underpins three key areas: 1) reduce carbon emissions 2) set new standards for recycling all aramids, and 3) create transparent material streams for aramids.

Teijin announces availability of DPP-compliant products aligned with Europe’s ESPR Environmental Regulation

Teijin Limited announced today that it has started rolling out initiatives to enable aramid fibers and carbon fibers to be accompanied by Digital Product Passport (DPP) technology, which enhances supply chain transparency by verifying the origins of materials and supporting sustainability claims. The company is using the supply chain traceability system from Netherlands-based Circularise B.V., in which Teijin has invested since November 2024, to develop DPPs for each product.

Teijin Carbon showcases new eco-friendly Tenax Next™ R2S 513 6mm short carbon fiber at JEC World 2025

Teijin Carbon, a leading manufacturer of carbon fiber products, is presenting its latest development in sustainable materials at JEC World 2025 (hall 6, G22). New Tenax Next™ R2S 513 6mm is a short carbon fiber product in rice-shaped form for reinforcing thermoplastic compounds that not only offers exceptional performance characteristics but also reinforces the company’s commitment to environmental responsibility and circularity.

Teijin to invest in Circularise B.V. and adopt its supply chain traceability platform to promote the Circular Economy

Teijin Limited announced today that it will invest in Circularise B.V., a company based in The Hague, Netherlands, which develops product traceability management systems using blockchain technology. Teijin will also implement Circularise’s software to improve visibility into its global supply chain. Circularise’s proprietary “Smart Questioning”(*) solution, which utilizes Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZKP) technology, provides both anonymity and transparency to ensure a highly reliable product traceability system.

Industrial scale meets verified governance: RE&UP is now B Corp™ certified

RE&UP, the circular-tech transforming global textile waste into high-volume Next-Gen materials, has officially become a Certified B Corporation™. The milestone establishes the industrial recycler among a select group of manufacturing infrastructure providers verified as meeting B Lab Standards for social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.

Recover™ and Ünteks Group partner to scale recycled cotton in knitwear

Recover(TM), a global producer of low‐impact, high‐quality recycled cotton fiber, announces a new partnership with Ünteks Group, a vertically integrated textile manufacturer based in Turkey. The collaboration focuses on the development of circular knit fabrics and garments, combining Recover’s recycled cotton fiber with Ünteks Group’s integrated capabilities across knitting, dyeing, printing, and garment production.

ALADIN paves the way for circular and demand-driven textile production in Europe

Textile production can be organized sustainably by utilizing short supply chains and preventing overproduction. This can already be achieved today by intelligently connecting and efficiently utilizing existing infrastructure. At the same time, production becomes circular when innovative technologies and materials are used that enable high-quality recycling. The ALADIN research project, launched in May 2026 and co-funded with five million euros under the EU Horizon Europe program, is creating the conditions for this.

Ence and ShareTex begin initial testing of the ATENEA innovation project to promote textile recycling in Spain

Ence and ShareTex are making progress on the Atenea R&D project, which aims to develop a complete value chain for textile recycling in Spain. Specifically, the goal of the ATENEA project—which is funded by the Center for Technological Development and Innovation (CDTI)—is to connect all the necessary stages for the recovery of textile waste, from collection and management, through recycling and transformation into new raw materials, to their incorporation into new textile products.

Rieter sees Barmag integration on track as orders and sales rise

The first half of 2026 was shaped by the successful completion of the largest acquisition in Rieter’s history. The Man-Made Fiber Division enables entry into the growth segment of man-made fibers and sustainably strengthens Rieter’s market position in the Asia region. The expanded Group is now the world’s leading system supplier for the processing of natural and man-made fibers. In the first half of the year, initial cost savings in material costs and operating expenses have already been realized. The targeted synergies are expected to amount to at least CHF 20 million by the end of the 2028 financial year. Due to the completion of the acquisition on February 2, 2026, the first half of the year for the Man-Made Fiber Division only amounts to five months.