Asahi Kasei to showcase PFAS-free polyamide, carbon fiber recycling, and advanced automotive materials at K 2025, driving sustainable innovation.
Asahi Kasei, the diversified global materials manufacturer, will present its latest innovations in sustainable materials and recycling at K 2025, the world’s leading trade fair for plastics and rubber. The event will take place in Düsseldorf, Germany, from October 8 to 15, 2025, where the company will be located in Hall 8a, Booth E23.
Among the highlights, Asahi Kasei will introduce a novel recycling process for continuous carbon fibers (CFRP) used in automotive pressure vessels. This method, utilizing electrolyzed sulfuric acid, breaks down the resin matrix while preserving the carbon fibers’ original strength and continuous structure. Unlike traditional approaches that typically yield chopped fibers, this innovation enables repeated recycling of high-quality, cost-effective continuous carbon fibers. At the fair, the company will display over 200 meters of recycled continuous fiber, underscoring its scalability and efficiency.
The company will also exhibit new material developments using bio-based and biodegradable cellulose nanofiber (CNF) derived from cotton linter. CNF-reinforced polyamide demonstrates excellent heat resistance, superior mechanical performance, and improved 3D printing capabilities. Meanwhile, CNF-enhanced SEBS elastomers deliver adjustable softness, low warpage, and good hydrolysis resistance, making them suitable for diverse applications ranging from industrial tooling to medical prosthetics and orthotics.
With rising global demand for PFAS-free solutions, Asahi Kasei will debut a new grade of low-friction LEONA™ polyamide in Europe. According to internal testing, it matches the performance of fluororesins, making it ideal for sliding components across industries, including automotive, robotics, sports equipment, and office machinery.
In the automotive sector, Asahi Kasei is addressing the urgent push for lightweighting and streamlined production. One key innovation is AZP™ transparent polymer, which features minimal birefringence, making it highly effective for applications involving polarized light, such as augmented and virtual reality devices and head-up displays (HUD). Its processability allows for large-scale optical component production.
The company will further present SEBS-based interior solutions that integrate skin and foam layers in a single step using core-back injection molding. This method reduces the number of materials required, eliminates adhesive layers, and enhances recyclability.
Another highlighted material is SunForce™ mPPE particle foam beads, designed for thin-walled, flame-retardant, and thermally stable parts. These are particularly suited to electronic thermal management, HVAC insulation, Li-ion battery trays, and foam cores for composites.
Finally, Asahi Kasei will demonstrate how XYRON™ mPPE enables cost-effective production of slotted waveguide array antennas for millimeter-wave automotive radars. By replacing metal milling with resin injection molding, the technology lowers manufacturing costs while supporting scalability.
Through these innovations, Asahi Kasei is reinforcing its role as a leader in sustainable, high-performance material solutions for next-generation industries.
