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#Composites

Teijin’s carbon fiber and resin used in world’s first laptop-sized automated people mover

Teijin Limited announced today that thermoplastic materials made with its Tenax® carbon fiber and Panlite® polycarbonate alloy resin have been adopted for use in the world’s first laptop-sized automated people mover (APM), the WALKCAR®, developed by cocoa motors. Inc.

The WALKCAR®, which is small enough to be carried in a bag, measures just 21.5 cm by 34.6 cm, roughly the size of a 13-inch laptop computer, and weighs only 2.9 kg. The WALKCAR® can travel about 7 km at a maximum speed of 16 km/h on a single charge. Operated by simply shifting one’s center of gravity, the APM requires neither a handle nor controller, and stops automatically as soon as the operator steps off.

The sturdy but lightweight WALKCAR® is made with Teijin’s thermoplastic carbon fiber reinforced  laminates Tenax® TPCL, thermoplastic  woven  fabric Tenax® TPWF  and polycarbonate alloy resin Panlite®.


(c) 2020 Teijin
(c) 2020 Teijin


(c) 2020 Teijin
(c) 2020 Teijin

 

Compared to steel, Tenax® offers 10 times the strength at just one quarter of the weight. Panlite® polycarbonate resin boasts some 200 times more  impact  resistance  than  fiberglass  but  only  half  of  the  weight.  The  impressive characteristics  of  these  Teijin  materials  is  why  the  amazing WALKCAR® is  able  to combine low weight and high durability.

The WALKCAR®  went  on  sale  in  Japan  in  June  and  overseas  sales  will  begin  from August 11. Orders can be placed via the cocoa motors' website:

https://en.cocoamotors.com/

Teijin develops high-performance materials and offers them in solutions targeting diverse fields under a long-term vision of becoming a company that supports the society of the future.


More News from Teijin Aramid

#Yarn & Fiber

Teijin Aramid: Taiichi Machida to succeed Peter ter Horst as CEO

Peter ter Horst will step down as Chief Executive Officer at the end of 2025, after 19 years of dedicated service. Effective October 1, 2025, Taiichi Machida will take over as CEO.

#Yarn & Fiber

Teijin announces availability of DPP-compliant products aligned with Europe’s ESPR Environmental Regulation

Teijin Limited announced today that it has started rolling out initiatives to enable aramid fibers and carbon fibers to be accompanied by Digital Product Passport (DPP) technology, which enhances supply chain transparency by verifying the origins of materials and supporting sustainability claims. The company is using the supply chain traceability system from Netherlands-based Circularise B.V., in which Teijin has invested since November 2024, to develop DPPs for each product.

#Composites

Teijin Carbon showcases new eco-friendly Tenax Next™ R2S 513 6mm short carbon fiber at JEC World 2025

Teijin Carbon, a leading manufacturer of carbon fiber products, is presenting its latest development in sustainable materials at JEC World 2025 (hall 6, G22). New Tenax Next™ R2S 513 6mm is a short carbon fiber product in rice-shaped form for reinforcing thermoplastic compounds that not only offers exceptional performance characteristics but also reinforces the company’s commitment to environmental responsibility and circularity.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

Teijin to invest in Circularise B.V. and adopt its supply chain traceability platform to promote the Circular Economy

Teijin Limited announced today that it will invest in Circularise B.V., a company based in The Hague, Netherlands, which develops product traceability management systems using blockchain technology. Teijin will also implement Circularise’s software to improve visibility into its global supply chain. Circularise’s proprietary “Smart Questioning”(*) solution, which utilizes Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZKP) technology, provides both anonymity and transparency to ensure a highly reliable product traceability system.

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#Composites

JEC World 2026 confirms its standing as the unmissable event for composites and their applications

JEC World 2026 confirms its position as the leading global event for the composite materials industry and its applications across multiple sectors, bringing together the entire composites ecosystem in Paris for three days of business, innovation, and collaboration. True to its Pushing the Limits motto, the 2026 edition delivered outstanding results despite travel disruptions worldwide. The numbers speak for themselves: more than 1,400 exhibitors from over 50 countries, including over 150 first-timers, presented a global panorama of products, equipment, and services across the entire composites value chain.

#Composites

KARL MAYER strengthens partnerships in the composites industry at JEC World 2026

KARL MAYER further strengthened its role as a reliable and competent partner to the composites industry at JEC World 2026. The global market leader in textile machinery manufacturing used the trade show to meet key customers, establish numerous new contacts, and engage in in-depth technical discussions.

#Composites

Kordsa showcases its global expertise in material technologies at JEC World 2026

Kordsa, a subsidiary of Sabancı Holding, shared its global expertise in material technologies with participants at JEC World 2026, held in Paris. The company’s solutions developed for a wide range of industries—particularly aviation, energy, and automotive—stood out among its key innovations at the exhibition. Throughout the event, Kordsa also presented its vision for sustainable growth and its strategic transformation in composite technologies to international stakeholders.

#Composites

JEC Composites Startup Booster: 2026 winners announced

The leading global startup competition for composites and advanced materials has crowned its 2026 champions, ahead of a landmark 10th anniversary edition next year. The winners of the JEC Composites Startup Booster 2026 were announced on Wednesday, 11 March, at JEC World, recognizing the most promising emerging companies reshaping the future of composites and advanced materials.

Latest News

#Raw Materials

New study shows low environmental impact by Cotton made in Africa Organic Cotton from Tanzania

Today, the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) is announcing the results of a comprehensive life-cycle analysis (LCA) for cotton produced in Tanzania under the Cotton made in Africa Organic (CmiA Organic) standard. The study emphasises the small ecological footprint of CmiA Organic verified cotton. This can largely be traced back to the absence of synthetic pesticides, artificial fertilisers, and artificial irrigation. Consequently, CmiA Organic cotton can help the textile industry meet regulatory requirements as well as science-based targets. The results also show that the consequences of climate change threaten the livelihoods of these cotton farmers, even though the type of agriculture they practise barely contributes to climate change.

#Raw Materials

Better Cotton Initiative strengthens regenerative focus in standard update

The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) has strengthened the regenerative focus of its field-level standard with the launch of a new version of its Principles & Criteria (P&C), which marks the next step in the organisation’s journey to becoming a regenerative standards system.

#Man-Made Fibers

Selenis and Kintra Fibers partner to scale 100% bio-based synthetic fiber technology

Selenis, a leading global specialty polyester manufacturer, today announced a strategic manufacturing partnership with materials science company Kintra Fibers to scale Kintra’s patented fiber-grade PBS resin - a 100% bio-based and biodegradable material designed for textile applications.

#Functional Fabrics

PERFORMANCE DAYS proves its relevance as the industry’s key meeting point

Held on March 18–19, 2026, PERFORMANCE DAYS once again confirmed its position as a leading international platform for functional textiles. A total of 3.366 trade visitors and around 560 exhibitors gathered in Munich, with the event already kicking off successfully on DAY 0, which received highly positive feedback for its interactive format. Despite challenging conditions caused by the public transport strike in Munich, the event saw strong attendance and a consistently high level of activity across both exhibition days.

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