Market Opportunities > Innovation Award for Twaron® with circular content
Innovation Award for Twaron® with circular content
Last year, we won the Tire Technology International Materials Innovation of the Year Award. Selected by a panel of more than 25 industry experts, the award highlights the development of Twaron® reinforced with circular aramid fiber.
Hendrik de Zeeuw
Chief Commercial Officer, Teijin Aramid
"We believe our responsibility does not stop with reducing our carbon footprint; it extends to reusing our material at end-of-life. Our goal is not only to minimize our contribution to climate change but to make thoughtful use and reuse of the resources we have on our planet."
Our approach uses physical recycling methods to help extend the material’s value while maintaining reliable performance. This development was made possible through close collaboration with partners across our value chain.
Supporting more sustainable tire design
Integrating Twaron® with circular content into tire designs helps reduce material use and improve overall sustainability without compromising performance. When applied in different parts of the tire, like the cap ply, belt, and carcass, Twaron® can lower tire weight and reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 2 grams per kilometer per car. This development supports ongoing efforts in the automotive sector to advance more sustainable mobility solutions.
However, while our innovation efforts have been well received, market dynamics continue to evolve. This reality reinforces the importance of close collaboration with partners to ensure that new, more sustainable materials are also commercially viable in today’s operating environment.
“We are working closely with our customers and partners to explore where and how our more sustainable materials can deliver value, both environmentally and economically. The goal is to find solutions that support both long-term sustainability and business viability.”
Henrico Derks, Director Sustainability
Market Opportunities > Launch of the Sustainable Optical Fiber and Cable Industry Alliance (SOFIA)
Launch of the Sustainable Optical Fiber and Cable Industry Alliance (SOFIA)
Together with Borealis, Covestro, Heraeus, Nextrom, and Umicore, we launched the Sustainable Optical Fiber and Cable Industry Alliance (SOFIA). This collaborative initiative is designed to advance sustainability in the optical fiber and cable sector.
"SOFIA encourages greater cooperation, clearer communication, and the development of shared methodologies to support a responsible industry transition."
Enrique Mendez
Global Market Manager
SOFIA’s key objectives and focus areas include:
Building transparency and shared understanding
The sector often lacks consistent information and a common view on the sustainability of optical fibers and cables. SOFIA aims to close this gap by promoting open dialogue and clear reference points.
Improving communication across the value chain
SOFIA supports more transparent and structured communication on sustainability efforts, helping stakeholders better understand ongoing progress and upcoming developments.
Establishing standardized assessment methods
Inconsistent approaches to defining carbon content have created uncertainty across the industry. SOFIA is working to develop standardized assessment criteria to support reliable comparisons and more informed decision-making.
Supporting a steady transition
The alliance advocates for practical measures that enable the gradual and controlled shift toward more sustainable product solutions.
Market Opportunities > Recycling Twaron® composites
Recycling Twaron® composites
Together with Mallinda, we have taken a practical step toward the recycling of aramid composites. The joint effort has shown that Twaron® fabric can be recovered in usable condition, along with a resin system that is suitable for potential reuse.
Composite recycling through depolymerization
The process has already produced promising results. Composite materials have been successfully depolymerized, making it possible to recover both the aramid fibers and the resin system. Trials have achieved a resin removal rate between 92% and 95%, with room for further improvement.
"It's as if we each hold a vital piece of a complex puzzle, blending technology and composites expertise seamlessly. This collaboration underscores a shared commitment to advancing circular solutions in material science."
Philip Taynton, CEO, Mallinda
Initial evaluations focused on identifying resin systems that could support the recovery and reuse of both the aramid fiber and the surrounding resin matrix. Until now, there have been no commercially viable technologies capable of recycling both components from aramid composites. Mallinda’s Vitrimax resin system proved effective, allowing for clean separation at the end of a product’s lifecycle and enabling reuse in future applications. This work represents a step toward enabling a fully circular solution for these materials.
Addressing end-of-life challenges for aramid composites
Aramid composites are known for their durability, but their thermoset properties make recycling difficult. As a result, many end-of-life components are typically incinerated or landfilled. The method our Research and Innovation Center (RIC) in Arnhem co-developed offers an alternative, recovering valuable material and reducing waste.
Walter Nijhuis
Senior R&D Scientist, Teijin Aramid
"Our successful demonstration of reclaiming aramid and resin from used composites represents a significant step towards our long-term goal of a fully circular aramid product."
Supporting circular use of materials
The team is currently optimizing the properties of the Vitrimax resin to improve the quality of the circular composite. The long-term aim is to support a circular approach that delivers both environmental and economic benefits, which could reduce the need for full replacements and extend the life of components.
Market Opportunities > Offshore wind energy development projects
Offshore wind energy development projects
In 2023, Teijin Aramid and FibreMax received a €4 million grant from the Just Transition Fund Groningen-Emmen (JTF) to support the Floating Wind project. This initiative focuses on advancing offshore wind energy using floating turbines, which require secure anchoring systems. As part of this effort, we are developing tendons made from circular synthetic fibers. These materials provide a lightweight, durable alternative to traditional steel cables and contribute to more sustainable offshore energy solutions.
