At the European Chemical Port-Biobased and Cyclic Polymer Conference held on November 17, Teijin Aramid, a subsidiary of Teijin Group, announced the results of a pilot project focusing on sustainable development. The focus of the pilot project is to use renewable bio-based materials to develop high-performance aramid fibers. According to the company, the project has now proven that this innovative method can improve the environmental impact of Teijin's aramid production process without changing the material properties of its Twaron aramid yarn.
This pilot project is based on Teijin Aramid's goal of transitioning to green, renewable materials, which is part of its corporate long-term sustainability vision. The company focuses on its ultra-high-strength para-aramid fiber, brand name Twaron, which is usually made from limited fossil raw materials.
In 2018, Teijin Aramid joined a pilot project led by the Dutch company BioBTX, which is good at converting renewable resources into chemical resources, and the organic chemistry research institution Syncom, to explore the use of bio-based benzene, toluene and xylene (BTX) aromatics Group compound materials are used as raw materials to produce Twaron aramid yarns.
The pilot project hopes to achieve a dual purpose: first, to discover the potential of the new process in reducing CO2 emissions; second, to evaluate whether the new process has changed the unique material properties of Twaron aramid yarn. The experiment was carried out on a laboratory scale. The three companies worked closely for more than two years to find innovative solutions to the technical challenges that occurred during the project. With the assistance of the European Chemical Port, the provinces of Drenthe and Groningen provided financial support.
According to Teijin Aramid, the success of the pilot project has brought the company closer to its goal of using low-carbon solutions and increasing the use of renewable carbon in raw materials. The company's ultimate ambition is to form a complete closed loop of the aramid industry chain, which will require innovative methods, such as the development of recyclable raw materials from plastic waste, and the strengthening of collaboration between different partners in the entire value chain.
Peter ter Horst, CEO of Teijin Aramid, said: "We are satisfied with the results of the pilot, which provided useful insights for everyone involved. Our collaboration with BioBTX and Syncom represents an important step in our sustainability journey. And emphasized the importance of collaboration in the process of achieving goals."