Teijin, Onward Holdings and Fuji Xerox will launch a closed-loop recycling system for uniforms in China. The system is based on Teijin’s Eco Circle closed-loop recycling system that incorporates the world's first technology for the chemical recycling of polyester, according to the company.

“We are delighted to collaborate with Fuji Xerox’s Chinese subsidiaries and Onward Trading (Shanghai) in a mutual commitment to sustainability through recycling,” said Hiroaki Mimori, President of Nantong Teijin. “The Teijin Group has been operating its Eco Circle recycling programme in China since 2009. Beginning with the start up of Zhejiang Jiaren New Materials’ recycling plant next year, we intend to steadily expand our environmental initiatives in this fast-growing market.”

Uniforms

Nantong Teijin, the Teijin group’s polyester textile manufacturing and processing company, weaves and dyes recyclable polyester textiles, which are then used for the uniforms designed and produced by Onward Trading (Shanghai), a Shanghai-based Onward group company engaged in the design, manufacturing and sales of uniforms.

From January 2014, the uniform will be worn by 500 customer engineers at Fuji Xerox (China), a Beijing-based Fuji Xerox sales company, and 200 production line workers at Fuji Xerox Eco-Manufacturing (Suzhou), which recycles used copiers, printers and cartridges.

Sustainable method

The uniforms will be collected after their useful lives and sent to the recycling plant of Zhejiang Jiaren New Materials, a joint venture between Teijin and Jinggong Holding Group in Shaoxing that chemically recycles polyester products as well as produces and sells recycled polyester fibers.

After chemical decomposition, the uniforms will be converted into polyester raw material offering purity comparable to polyester derived directly from petroleum, the company reports. The raw material then will be turned into high-quality polyester, which Onward Trading will use to produce new uniforms for Fuji Xerox in China, thereby minimising the consumption of natural resources.

Valuable resources

The collaborative initiative of Teijin, Onward and Fuji Xerox represents their commitment to reducing environmental burden in China through the development, manufacturing, usage and recycling of uniforms that are functional, comfortable and safety-conscious realising antistatic.

Yasuaki Nakagawa, President of Onward Trading (Shanghai) said: “By combining Teijin’s world’s-first closed-loop recycling system and Onward’s clothing design, production and merchandising capabilities, our collaborative scheme will facilitate Fuji Xerox’s belief that used products are valuable resources, not waste. We would like for our initiative to lower environmental impact while raising environmental consciousness in China.”

Contributing to growth

Masataka Jo, President and CEO of Fuji Xerox (China) and the Chief Representative of Fuji Xerox in China commented: “The three companies all commit to helping reduce environmental loads with our technologies, which led us to establishing this uniform recycling scheme.”

“I expect that this system will raise our employees’ awareness to protect environment.  Fuji Xerox continues such initiatives, also by offering energy-saving products and solutions, aiming to contributing to growth and reduction of environmental loads in China.”

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