Teijin Develops New Solvent-Based Recycling Technology, Produces Virgin-Quality Recycled Polycarbonate (PC)

Teijin Limited has introduced a solvent-based recycling technology capable of producing high-quality recycled polycarbonate (PC) resin with performance comparable to that of virgin resin.

This Japanese company stated that its technology separates pure polymer from contaminants such as surface coatings by dissolving waste PC resin in a solvent, addressing industry pain points such as material degradation, high costs, and carbon emissions.

This technology release coincides with Europe's review of the End-of-Life Vehicles (ELV) regulatory draft, which mandates the use of recycled plastics from end-of-life vehicles in the production of new cars. Teijin pointed out that its solvent-based recycling technology meets these regulatory requirements, providing a practical solution for industries that rely on high-quality recycled materials.

Image source: Teijin Ltd.

Overcoming the pain points in the polycarbonate recycling industry.

Polycarbonate resin, known for its transparency and impact resistance, is widely used in automotive parts, electrical components, and electronic devices. However, discarded PC resin often contains contaminants that affect its transparency and performance, limiting the application scenarios of recycled materials. Teijin has stated that through a solvent-based recycling process, it is possible to recover materials with transparency and performance comparable to that of virgin PC resin, effectively addressing this issue.

In addition, Teijin emphasizes that unlike chemical recycling, which decomposes materials into their chemical components, solvent-based recycling involves fewer steps, thereby reducing costs and lowering carbon dioxide emissions. This process also supports closed-loop and lateral recycling models, such as transforming discarded automotive headlights into new headlights or other transparent components.

Supporting Sustainable Development and Regulatory Compliance

With the advancement of the European ELV regulations (which emphasize the proportion of recycled plastics used in new vehicles), Teijin's recent technological development holds significant practical importance. The company pointed out that by producing high-quality recycled PC resin, this technology helps companies meet regulatory requirements while promoting the widespread application of sustainable materials.

Teijin plans to achieve commercial mass production of solvent-based recycled PC resin by the fiscal year 2026. During this period, the company will continue its R&D efforts to further improve the quality of recycled PC resin to meet the growing market demand for sustainable, high-performance materials.

Teijin stated that its solvent-based recycling technology is both cost-effective and environmentally friendly, providing a practical pathway to improve polycarbonate recycling efficiency and promote sustainability in the plastics industry.

Teijin is a technology-driven global group with two core businesses: high-performance materials and healthcare solutions. Founded in 1918, it was Japan's first manufacturer of artificial silk. Today, the company has approximately 150 subsidiaries and a total workforce of 20,000 employees.