#Recycling / Circular Economy
Teijin’s high-performance materials on display at COP26
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.
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.
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.
