Teijin to Launch Bio-derived PET Fiber in 2012

Teijin Fibers Limited announced that they will begin production of bio-derived polyethylene terephalate (PET) in 2012, which Tejin claims will be the world's first commercially produced bio-derived PET fiber.

Teijin Fibers develops unique polyester technologies through "hybrid strategies" that combine the company's special expertise in biomaterials, recycling, functional materials and manufacturing processes to reduce environmental loads.

The bio-PET fiber, named ECO CIRCLE PlantFiber, is produced from 30% bio-ethylene glycol rather than synthetic ethylene glycol; replacing an oil based reagent with one that is renewably produced. The quality and properties of the plastic is the same as when produced from 100% synthetic reagents, therefore it is suitable for the same applications, such as car interiors and personal hygiene products.

Tejin also has developed means to recycle the plastic. Tejin’s closed loop polyester recycling system allows the PET to be decomposed and the DMT to be reused in other Polyester products. Teijin Fibers expects to sell 30,000 tons of ECO CIRCLE PlantFiber products in the fiscal year ending in March 2013, and 70,000 tons by their third year. They expect the price of the product to be competitive with the fully synthetic PET by the time production reaches the mass production scale, though until then it will be initially higher.