[pageLogInLogOut]

#Yarn & Fiber

Asahi Kasei to unveil PFAS-free polyamide and CFRP recycling technology at K 2025

Diversified global manufacturer Asahi Kasei will unveil its newest innovation in PFAS-free polyamide (PA) and recycling technology of continuous carbon fibers at K 2025 in Hall 8a, Booth E23. The company will also showcase its diverse material solutions for automotive applications, improved connectivity, and lightweighting. K 2025, considered the world's No. 1 trade fair for plastics and rubber, will take place during October 8–15, 2025, in Düsseldorf, Germany.
Asahi Kasei booth at K 2025 © 2025 Asahi Kasei
Asahi Kasei booth at K 2025 © 2025 Asahi Kasei


Asahi Kasei has developed a groundbreaking recycling technology that enables the recovery of continuous carbon fibers from CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced plastic) pressure vessels used in automobiles. Utilizing electrolyzed sulfuric acid, the process completely decomposes the resin matrix while preserving the carbon fibers' original strength and continuous structure. Unlike conventional recycling methods that result in chopped fibers, this technology allows for the perpetual recycling of high-quality, cost-effective continuous carbon fibers from CFRP pressure vessels. At K 2025, Asahi Kasei will showcase over 200 meters of recycled continuous carbon fiber.

Asahi Kasei will also display PA and SEBS (hydrogenated styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer) compounds utilizing a bio-based and biodegradable cellulose nanofiber (CNF). This material is made from cotton linter and has high heat resistance and network-forming ability. CNF-reinforced polyamide becomes less viscous when agitated, making it highly suitable for 3D printing applications for easy printing, dimensional accuracy, smooth appearance, and mechanical performance. CNF-reinforced SEBS features a unique softness, which can be adjusted by changing the internal structure of the molded product. In addition, it shows a very low warpage and shrinkage, and good hydrolysis resistance. These properties make this material suitable for a wide range of applications, for example, jigs & tooling or prosthetics & orthotics devices.

In response to the increasing demand for PFAS-free materials, Asahi Kasei is developing a PFAS-free low-friction LEONA™Open new window PA and will introduce the new grade for the first time in Europe. Based on internal evaluations, the material has the same low-friction properties as fluororesin, making it suitable for sliding applications in various industries, including automotive, robot parts, office equipment parts, and sporting goods.

Materials for lightweighting and streamlined production of automotive parts

There has been a growing emphasis on reduced weight and improved design in automotive manufacturing. Asahi Kasei will display various technologies to address the most pressing concerns of automotive manufacturers at K 2025. One such solution is AZP™ transparent polymerOpen new window featuring almost no birefringence and light weight. It overcomes the challenges of conventional transparent polymers in applications with polarizing light, such as virtual reality and augmented reality devices and automotive head-up displays (HUD), while maintaining superior processability for large-scale production of injection-molded optical components. The company will exhibit an interactive automotive demonstration at K 2025 to showcase how AZP™ contributes to next-generation HUD.

Comparison of optical performance of AZP™ and conventional optical polymers

Conventional approaches to automotive instrument panels, door panels, armrests, or center consoles have used different materials and production technologies for skin, foam, and core layers. Asahi Kasei’s SEBSOpen new window material is suitable for skin and foam layers, which can be molded in one step by utilizing a core back injection molding process, with strong chemical bonding between all the layers to eliminate the need for additional adhesive layers. SEBS contributes to reducing the total number of materials, simplifying the manufacturing process, and improving the recyclability of interior components.

SEBS for automotive interior surfaces © 2025 Asahi Kasei
SEBS for automotive interior surfaces © 2025 Asahi Kasei


Another solution from Asahi Kasei that streamlines the manufacturing process for OEMs is SunForce™ mPPE (modified polyphenylene ether) particle foam beads. This material is well-suited to mass production of thin-walled, complex-shaped parts that require low tolerances, high heat stability, or UL94 V-0 flame retardancy. These properties make SunForce™ a perfect fit for thermal management solutions in electronic devices, transportation trays for Li-ion battery cells, insulation parts for HVAC equipment, and foam cores for FRP composite parts.

With the increasing number of radar applications across industries, the pressure to reduce material, production costs, and weight is rising. Slotted waveguide array antennas for automotive millimeter-wave radars are typically made of metal, requiring costly and time-consuming milling processes. Asahi Kasei’s XYRON™Open new window mPPE features proven wet-platability, omitting the milling process and allowing for mass production of resin antenna parts via injection molding, which lowers cost and increases scalability.

XYRON™ slotted waveguide array antenna

Asahi Kasei will exhibit in Hall 8a, Booth E23. For more information, visit https://k-2025.asahi-kasei.euOpen new window





More News from Asahi Kasei

#Yarn & Fiber

Bemberg™ announces new leadership

2025 marks the beginning of a new chapter for Bemberg™ in Italy. Following the return of Koji Hamada to Japan, after leading the European division for four years, Junshu Furusawa — with 19 years working at Bemberg™ Division and 4 years in Italy — has been appointed as the new CEO of Asahi Kasei Fibers Italia.

#Nonwovens / Technical Textiles

Asahi Kasei expands Planova™ production with new spinning plant

Asahi Kasei Life Science, a division of diversified global manufacturer Asahi Kasei, announced plans to construct a new spinning plant for its Planova™ virus removal filters in Nobeoka City, Miyazaki, Japan. The new facility will be the company’s fourth spinning plant for hollow-fiber cellulose membrane filters.

#Yarn & Fiber

Bemberg partners show latest developments and creations with this Asahi Kasei fiber at Milano Unica

Bemberg™ is the brand name of the regenerated cellulose fiber cupro, produced only by Asahi Kasei in Japan. It is unique, one-of-a-kind material that doesn’t deplete any forestry resources. It represents a journey of 9 decades, but going even stronger, and rocking. At Milano Unica, Bemberg partners are now showing the latest developments and creations with this unique, noble, timeless yet modern fiber that has been combining new aesthetics and haptics with innovative yet responsible values since 1931.

#Yarn & Fiber

ROICA™ by Asahi Kasei returns to ISPO 2024 with sustainability and performance at its core

ROICA™ by Asahi Kasei is set to make a remarkable appearance at ISPO 2024, taking place from December 3rd to 5th in Hall B2, Booth 111 at the Future Lab. Renowned for its premium stretch fiber innovations, ROICA™ continues to elevate the textile industry with its commitment to sustainability, performance, and modern fashion needs.

More News on Yarn & Fiber

Latest News

#ITM 2026

The Address of innovation and investment in textile technologies: ITM 2026

Sales for ITM 2026, one of the world’s most comprehensive and prestigious exhibitions in textile technologies, are continuing at full steam. The record number of exhibitors and visitors achieved at ITM 2024 once again proved the industry’s confidence and the commercial success of the exhibition; meanwhile, the strong interest shown in ITM 2026, to be held on 9-13 June 2026, has far exceeded expectations.

#Knitting & Hosiery

STOLL in focus:

At the beginning of this year, KARL MAYER announced that it would be shifting its focus back to its core areas of warp knitting, warp preparation and technical textiles. As part of this strategic realignment, the flat knitting machine business under the STOLL brand will be discontinued. The Reutlingen plant will close down on 31 October 2025. Production in China will end in December 2025. This was an extremely difficult decision for KARL MAYER.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

RECOVER™ Central America wins Textile Exchange’s Climate and Nature Impact Award for Textile-To-Textile Partnership

Recover™ and Intradeco have been named winners of the Climate and Nature Impact Award for Textile-to-Textile Partnership at the 2025 Textile Exchange Conference in Lisbon.

#Heimtextil 2026

Heimtextil 2026 strengthens the global home textile industry with trends, designs and AI technologies

With an optimised hall layout, progressive design collaborations, inspiring trends and AI-driven innovations, Heimtextil 2026 reacts to the current market situation – and offers the industry a reliable constant in challenging times. Under the motto ‘Lead the Change’, the leading trade fair for home and contract textiles and textile design shows how challenges can be turned into opportunities. From 13 to 16 January, more than 3,100 exhibitors from 65 countries will provide a comprehensive market overview with new collections and textile solutions. As a knowledge hub, Heimtextil delivers new strategies and concrete solutions for future business success.

TOP