Japan-based Teijin Fibers Ltd. will begin supplying chemically recycled polyester fibers for tire
cord to Japan-based Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. Ltd. Teijin’s ECOPET PLUS® fibers, produced using
its ECO CIRCLE® closed-loop recycling system, will be used in Toyo’s PROXES® Ne tires developed for
use on eco-oriented automobiles.
The Eco Circle system — which breaks down polyester for conversion into virgin-quality raw
polyester, and reduces carbon dioxide emissions and energy use by approximately 80 percent compared
with polyester production from petroleum — enables production of 1,670 decitex recycled polyester
fibers that meet the parameters for use in the tire carcass. Teijin’s Union Tire Cord subsidiary
will prepare the raw Ecopet Plus fiber for its production into tire cord.
Teijin anticipates sales of Ecopet Plus to increase from 10 tons per month — enough to
produce approximately 50,000 tires — in 2009 to 30 tons per month in 2011.
December 16, 2008
