Mirai Kasei and Toray to establish recycled carbon fibre supply chain

Mirai Kasei Co., Ltd. has announced a collaboration with Toray Industries, Inc. to accelerate the development of recycled carbon fibre reinforced plastic (rCFRP) products. It will focus on creating a sustainable supply chain by recovering and repurposing carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) offcuts generated during the manufacturing of aircraft components.

CFRP is a high-performance material valued for its lightweight, high strength, and corrosion resistance. It is used extensively in aerospace, automotive, and wind energy sectors. However, the material is highly difficult to recycle, often resulting in a large amount of industrial waste. This partnership seeks to address this challenge by integrating Toray’s technical expertise in design and evaluation with Mirai Kasei’s proprietary recycling technology.

The recycling process makes use of a unique solvent method developed by Mirai Kasei. This technology extracts carbon fibres from resin using less energy than conventional thermal recycling methods. The recovered fibres are then transformed into non-woven fabrics, which serve as intermediate materials for new products. This approach allows high-performance materials to be reintroduced into the economy.

Mirai Kasei intends to apply these recycled materials to a variety of sectors, including sports equipment, mobility, and interior design. As a practical demonstration of the technology, the company will exhibit pickleball paddles made from rCFRP at SPORTEC 2026, Japan’s international exhibition for the sports and health industry.