Toyoda Gosei expands rubber recycling network

Kiyosu, Japan – Toyoda Gosei Co. Ltd has expanded its rubber recycling programme to collect production scrap from another company within the broader Toyoda Gosei Group for the first time.

The programme now includes production scrap from Toyoda Gosei East Japan's Miyagi Kurihara plant, with the material to be recycled at the group's Morimachi facility, Toyoda Gosei said 3 Aug.

The supplier said it has established the logistics, quality standards and commercial arrangements needed to collect rubber from multiple sites, creating a foundation to expand the programme across other group companies and external manufacturers.

The move is part of Toyoda Gosei's efforts to establish a circular system for automotive rubber materials, which remain difficult to recycle and are typically disposed of through thermal recovery.

The company has been developing rubber recycling technology since the 1990s.

It commissioned a dedicated recycling line at its Morimachi plant in fiscal year 2021, obtained ISCC+ certification in fiscal year 2023 and doubled recycling capacity a year later, said a company press release.

Process improvements have also increased the proportion of recycled material that can be used in automotive rubber parts to 20%, from less than 5% previously.

Going forward, Toyoda Gosei said it plans to extend rubber collection to additional group companies and outside businesses as it works to accelerate the development of a circular recycling system.