Technological watch

Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials has acquired the assets of two German carbon fiber recycling companies - CFK Valley Stade Recycling (CFK) and carboNXT (carboNXT). The strategic acquisitions are part of the circular economy approach to business, which contrasts the traditional linear economy model of production. Based on Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Group’s (MCHC) Management Strategy, KAITEKI Vision30, circular economy is the main driving factor in their realization of KAITEKI and is achievable through strategic acquisitions such as this one.
Advanced Technology to Close the Circular Loop
With the network to collect carbon fiber waste products, CFK has built a strong reputation as a solutions provider for customers in mobility-related industries. Another competitive advantage that CFK offers is their advanced proprietary technology that breaks down carbon fiber waste and converts this material into various usable forms of carbon fiber. In turn, carboNXT sells these CFK-recycled products back into the market, which closes the circular loop.
Ron Denoo, chief strategy and technology officer at Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials agrees that, “This acquisition enables us to fully extend our position in the carbon fiber market, by providing a sustainable solution to a major problem in today’s production environments - manufacturing waste and end of life parts. We are excited to bring this to our customers, and to help them realize the benefits of using recycled materials and contents in their products.” Tim Rademacker, president of CFK and carboNXT, added that “This announcement marks another important step in our success story. Customers, employees, and stakeholders will benefit from Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials’ Global reach and experience, and CFK / carboNXT will continue its focus on providing innovative carbon fiber composite solutions to Global mobility markets, and beyond.”
Turnkey Solutions for Waste Recycling
With this latest acquisition of CFK and carboNXT, Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials is now well-equipped to support the lifecycle of carbon fiber from creation, to re-use, and to re-sale. Furthermore, Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials has a variety of composite materials in the portfolio that will benefit from recycled carbon fiber, helping customers achieve the right balance of improved performance and more sustainable / economical solutions.
Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (MCC) has already experienced a significant amount of success employing a similar model in Japan where they have been recycling carbon fiber through its subsidiary, Shinryo Corporation. In the future, MCC will offer total turnkey solutions that include waste recycling to customers by using recycled products as raw materials within the group. Ultimately, key acquisitions such as this one will continue to strengthen Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials’ ability to offer innovative solutions to the Global market but also within the carbon fiber composite industry, reinforcing the mission to generate a recycling-based society.