Toray aims for establishing a “fishing nets to fishing nets” recycling system, in collaboration with Nitto Seimo Co., Ltd. and TAIYO A&F Co., Ltd. (subsidiary of Maruha Nichiro). For the industry-first recycling, Toray produces nylon yarns including wastes from fishing net production, Nitto Seimo produces fishing nets using the nylon yarns, and TAIYO A&F conducts test operations using the nets. They have been studying the outcomes of the test operations since October 2022 for the purpose of verifying whether the recycled products are valid and meet market needs. The outcomes are used by Toray and Nitto Seimo, for development and production of innovative yarns and fishing nets made from pre-consumer materials and post-consumer materials.

JCFA News Letter (No.23) August, 2023/Japan Chemical Fibers Association