Recycling project to close the loop on fishing net offcuts

Materials trading company Shoko Co., Ltd. has launched a project to recycle manufacturing offcuts from fishing nets and ropes. In collaboration with manufacturers and recycling businesses, they aim to commercialise new products made from this recycled material by mid-2026, tackling the issue of industrial waste.

During the production of fishing nets and ropes, various offcuts are generated. These include yarn production losses, leftover resin threads from weaving, and defective items. Currently, most of this material is treated as industrial waste. Shoko Co. noted that while the material is recyclable, challenges such as sorting by material and colour, ensuring post-recycling quality, and establishing a viable business model have previously hindered its reuse.

The new project establishes a system to collect these offcuts from manufacturers. The material is then re-pelletised into a recycled resin, which is used to create new yarn for fishing nets and ropes. The company is also exploring future applications for the recycled resin, including containers and films, to further expand its circular use.

Quality tests on the re-pelletised material have been completed, and practical trials for commercialisation are now underway. Shoko Co. plans to continue these tests through 2025 and aims to begin selling the final products in mid-2026. The company anticipates demand from public institutions and private firms focused on ESG and sustainability goals, as the raw yarn is used across sectors including construction, logistics and agriculture.

The project aims to establish a commercially viable business model for a material stream previously considered waste. “The project was inspired by seeing offcuts from fishing nets and ropes being treated as industrial waste and wondering if we could create a business utilising them,” a project manager at Shoko Co. stated. “There are many recycling initiatives, but there were many challenges in making it a viable business. This time, we are advancing this project towards commercialisation by leveraging the technology we have cultivated and our relationships with each partner.”