Thailand-based Teijin Polyester Ltd. (TPL), a subsidiary of Teijin Frontier, has announced the launch of a recycling facility that will convert old domestically produced polyethylene terephthalate bottles (PET) bottles into recycled polyester chips for the production of high-quality polyester filament.

Teijin Frontier plans to start operations at the new location in January 2022. By fiscal 2025, the factory is expected to produce 7,000 tonnes of recycled polyester chips per year.

Teijin Frontier claims it will install cleaning equipment as well as the most up-to-date repelletizing machine to remove foreign contaminants from recycled PET bottles before they are moulded into chips. TPL's technology for converting Thai plastic bottles into recycled polyester chips for the manufacturing of polyester filament will incorporate Teijin Frontier's unique quality-control technologies. Teijin Frontier's Ecopet recycled filament yarn will be made from the raw yarn generated at TPL.

Due to rising environmental awareness, the number of products created from recycled materials has increased in recent years. Teijin Frontier further points out that demand for recycled polyester filaments and staple polyester fibers has risen dramatically. Teijin Frontier has been sourcing recycled raw materials to suit these rising demands up to this point.

In the meanwhile, the company is looking for recycled-polyester raw material providers who can assist it avoid high-impact long-distance shipping while also improving its resource-cycling processes. Despite its best efforts, Teijin Frontier eventually determined that obtaining steady, high-quality bottle flakes in the Thailand region, where its primary operations are located, would be impossible.

Teijin Frontier is aiming to increase its environmental value, guided by its Think Eco environmental effort, which includes developing environmentally friendly materials and products for a variety of applications ranging from garments to industrial materials.

Teijin Frontier will continue to encourage the recycling of used PET bottles in Thailand, where it has been doing business for over 50 years.