Purpose

The purpose of this survey is to hear your interest on recycled carbon chopped fiber and gather opinions on whether it will be accepted by the market.

This recycled carbon chopped fiber have eco-friendly property.

We welcome ideas from experts in related industries.

We welcome opinions from industry experts, particularly:

-  End users and brand manufacturers who manufacture or sell final products using components made with fiber-reinforced plastics (carbon fiber or glass fiber)

-  Parts manufacturers and molders who process and form components using fiber-reinforced plastics (carbon fiber or glass fiber)

-  Compounders who manufacture and sell resin pellets made by mixing fiber-reinforced plastics (carbon fiber or glass fiber) with thermoplastic resins

Target audience for the survey

We would like to hear the opinions from the experts with following work experiences.

• End users and brand manufacturers who manufacture or sell final products using components made with fiber-reinforced plastics (carbon fiber or glass fiber)

Examples:

1) Sporting Goods: Shoes (insoles, outsoles, etc.), golf clubs, bicycle parts, fishing reels, tennis rackets, ice hockey equipment, lacrosse equipment, etc.

2) Electronic Devices: Laptops, cameras, VR devices, printers, money handling equipment, vacuum cleaners, etc.

3) Automotive: Complete vehicles, automotive parts (Tier1/Tier2), etc.

• Parts manufacturers and molders who process and form components using fiber-reinforced plastics (carbon fiber or glass fiber)

Examples:

1) Sporting Goods: Shoes (insoles, outsoles, etc.), golf clubs, bicycle parts, fishing reels, tennis rackets, ice hockey equipment, lacrosse equipment, etc.

2) Electronic Devices: Laptops, cameras, VR devices, printers, money handling equipment, vacuumcleaners, etc.

3) Automotive: Complete vehicles, automotive parts (Tier1/Tier2), etc.

• Compounders who manufacture and sell resin pellets made by mixing fiber-reinforced plastics (carbon fiber or glass fiber) with thermoplastic resins

Examples:

1) Sporting Goods: Shoes (insoles, outsoles, etc.), golf clubs, bicycle parts, fishing reels, tennis rackets, ice hockey equipment, lacrosse equipment, etc.

2) Electronic Devices: Laptops, cameras, VR devices, printers, money handling equipment, vacuum cleaners, etc.

3) Automotive: Complete vehicles, automotive parts (Tier1/Tier2), etc.

The following individuals are not eligible. (No reward will be paid for response)

・Carbon fiber researchers (non-commercial positions)

Overview of the technology

We are developing recycled carbon chopped fiber.

This material improves the physical properties of thermoplastic resins, such as tensile strength, elastic modulus, electrical conductivity, and sliding properties.

Traditionally, carbon fiber has been problematic due to its high cost and the large energy consumption required for its production, resulting in a large carbon footprint.

However, advances in recycling technology have made it possible to produce high-quality recycled chopped fiber at low cost and with minimal environmental impact.

It also addresses traditional issues such as raw material traceability and supply stability.

Features 

• Eco-friendly (Low carbon footprint):
  The recycling process reduces CO₂ emissions compared to virgin carbon fiber.

• Superior mechanical properties:
  Offers high tensile strength and modulus, comparable to virgin carbon fiber.

• Versatility:
  Can be blended with thermoplastic resins such as nylon and polycarbonate, as well as rubber, for various applications.

• High traceability:
  Ensures clear identification of raw material sources, providing reliable product quality.

• Stable supply:
  Guarantees long-term stable supply, reducing risks in product development.

• Affordable price:
  Provides a cost-effective alternative to virgin carbon fiber, enabling broader application potential.

Benefits to the users

• Enhanced product performance:
  Mixing recycled carbon fiber with resins improves strength and durability, enabling the creation of high-performance products.

• Cost reduction:
  Using recycled materials allows for more cost-effective product development compared to virgin materials.

• Reduced environmental impact:
  Helps lower the carbon footprint, supporting sustainable product design.

• Increased reliability:
  High traceability and stable supply ensure confidence in long-term product development planning.

• Marketing advantage:
  Highlighting the use of recycled materials from aircraft can appeal to environmentally conscious consumers and enhance brand value.

　　　　　Comparison with the conventional products

Expected Roles and Responses

The expected respondents include, but are not limited to, the following roles and types of responses:

1. Hypothesis for end users and brand manufacturers who manufacture or sell final products using components that utilize fiber-reinforced plastics (carbon fiber and glass fiber)

• Hypothesis: Up until now, products have used virgin carbon materials and have been promoted to consumers as high-tech materials.

1) It is possible to clearly indicate that the product is made from recycled materials and to appeal to customers as an environmentally friendly product.

2) By demonstrating traceability, it is possible to appeal to consumers about contributions to a recycling-oriented society and storytelling (active information disclosure in anticipation of digital product passports: the origin of materials (it is possible to specifically indicate which aircraft models and parts are being recycled)

3) Since a stable supply is guaranteed, the impact on production plans and market launch schedules can be minimized, making it easy to apply to mass-produced products.

2. Hypothesis for parts manufacturers and molders who process components using fiber-reinforced plastics (carbon fiber and glass fiber)

• Hypothesis:

1) The traceability and stable supply of recycled carbon fiber will facilitate quality control in the product development process and long-term supply planning. This makes it easier to meet customer reliability requirements.

2) The low carbon footprint feature can be a differentiating factor when expanding your products into environmentally conscious markets. It is particularly expected that this material will be adopted in areas where environmental regulations are being strengthened, such as automobile parts and electronic devices.

3) Recycled carbon fiber is often cheaper than virgin carbon fiber, which can help reduce product costs.

3. Hypothesis for compounders that manufacture and sell resin pellets made by mixing fiber-reinforced plastics (carbon fiber or glass fiber) with thermoplastic resin

• Hypothesis:

1) Recycled carbon fiber, which has a stable supply of raw materials and ensures traceability, helps reduce the risks of sourcing raw materials. In particular, recycled carbon fiber is likely to be adopted as a reliable option in industries where supply uncertainty and price fluctuations are challenges.

2) The low carbon footprint feature can be used as added value to strengthen your company's environmentally friendly product lineup.

3) Recycled carbon fiber is often cheaper than virgin carbon fiber, which can help reduce product costs.