Building a sustainable future
Teijin Aramid’s sustainability goals are straightforward and good for everyone – people, planet, customers and suppliers. We’re hands-on in protecting the environment, cutting waste, using less energy, and investing in clean technology. We work with our partners to make sustainability a team effort, understanding that sustainability benefits the environment and also has positive impacts on business profitability.
Teijin Aramid is committed to a sustainable future and net zero by 2050. Our range of activities and initiatives underscore our commitment to a circular economy for aramid. They are part of taking responsibility for our material flows by collaborating with our partners to recycle aramids and repurpose end-of-life products.
“Our responsibility extends beyond just supplying aramid; we strive to ensure that protective garments safeguard not only the wearer but also the environment.”
Monica Lopez Lorenzo Senior Vice President Marketing & Sales Life Protection
Recycling - Teijinconex® circularity roadmap
Teijin Aramid is actively collecting end-of-life products containing meta-aramids from the protective apparel value chain. In order to make this happen, we work with global circular partners. After sorting, cleaning, and cutting, the aramids are recycled through three innovative routes.
Route 1 Mechanical recycling
We focus on recovering meta-aramid materials from production waste and end-of-life products. The recycled meta-aramids are reused in staple fiber blends with virgin Teijinconex®.
Route 2 Physical recycling
We dissolve the collected end-of-life aramid (Teijinconex®) with our virgin polymer. This is then spun into fibers that contain a significant amount of recycled content while retaining the same properties as 100% virgin fiber.
Route 3 Chemical recycling
Chemical recycling, also known as depolymerization, involves breaking down the aramid polymer molecules into small chemical building blocks. At our polymerization factory, we reintroduce these recovered monomers to produce new Teijinconex®. Another option is to use bio-based raw materials, or recycled plastic produced by our suppliers, as building blocks.
The ultimate goal is to replace all fossil-based resources with renewable ones.
