#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.

Managed workwear services are providing a blueprint for the circular textile economy

Managed workwear service providers are demonstrating how commercial success and circularity can go hand in hand by extending garment lifespans through repair, laundering, reuse and recycling, according to “Managed workwear services—a circular textile economy ahead of the game”, a new 14‑page report from the global business information company Textiles Intelligence.

Eco-design as the foundation of circular textiles

Based on the results of an extensive European analysis, the Erasmus+ project Skills4Circularity is currently developing three practice-based training modules covering recycling technologies, eco-design for the circular economy and sustainable manufacturing. This was preceded by a comprehensive company survey and a joint analysis conducted by the project partners under the leadership of IVGT. The results show that the greatest challenges lie not so much in a lack of technology as in skills gaps.

Usha Yarns secures growth equity investment from Fullerton Carbon Action Fund

Usha Yarns Limited (“Usha Yarns”), a producer of high-quality recycled yarns with advanced, well established production processes, announced a growth equity investment from the Fullerton Carbon Action Fund (“Fullerton”), a private equity strategy managed by Fullerton Fund Management that backs established mid-market companies across Emerging Asia to accelerate decarbonisation.

PERFORMANCE DAYS announces new focus topic & forums for October 2026

With its upcoming October 13–14, 2026 edition, PERFORMANCE DAYS is placing the spotlight on one of the textile industry’s most important transformations: “Bio-Based Materials – From Fiber to Fabric”, a two-part Focus Topic exploring the future of bio-based innovation across the textile value chain. Part 1, presented in October 2026, will focus on fibers and next-generation material developments, while Part 2 at the March 2027 edition will shift the perspective toward dyeing, finishing, additives, and processing technologies.

Febratex 2026 to be the largest edition of the leading textile trade fair in the Americas with 10 exhibition halls

Febratex 2026 will be the largest edition in the history of the leading textile trade fair in the Americas. Dedicated to the textile and apparel manufacturing industries, the event will take place from August 18–21, 2026, in Blumenau, Santa Catarina, Brazil, with a strong focus on technology, sustainability, and business generation.

Cotton Brazil Dialogues field trip brings international stakeholders closer to Brazil’s cotton production chain

How do you build trust across the global textile value chain? By opening the farm gates. This is the principle behind the Cotton Brazil Dialogues. At the end of July, the programme welcomed its first group of international participants for a five-day immersion into Brazilian cotton production, combining field visits with technical workshops to showcase the quality, sustainability, innovation and traceability behind one of the world’s leading cotton origins.