CSV examples

Films

Contributing to reducing plastic volume
New development of the world’s thinnest 20μm shrink film

Contributing to the proliferation of next-generation energy and a carbon-neutral society
TEONEX® PEN film adopted for use in Toyota’s fuel cell vehicles

Masahito Jinguji

Shigeto Yoshida

Hisato Ichimiya

Kenji Handa

Manager
Packaging Operating Department

Manager
Packaging Operating Department

ManagerFilms New BusinessDevelopment
Operating Department

Industrial Films OperatingDepartment

Toyobo is a specialty manufacturer of PET films in the shrink film market. Our policy is to boost ourcompetitiveness through product development that is cutting-edge in terms of both performance andenvironmental consideration. Our production technology creates thinner films while maintaining strength,
an achievement that cannot be imitated by others. In 2012, we succeeded in developing and launching
SPACECLEAN® , a heat shrinkable PET film that significantly cuts the mainstream 40μm thickness toa world’s-thinnest 20μm. This product offers benefits not only in the environmental value of reducing
plastic volume but also in terms of productivity, and has found use with many customers, mainly beverage
producers.
In response to strong demands by customers, we will also start using recycled PET material frombottles to produce this 20μm film. In the past, the use of recycled raw materials yielded differing grades ofproduct. We will further expand this and contribute to achieving customers’ specific goals for sustainable
packaging.
Along with the reduction of plastics, the reduction in use of virgin raw materials is also a pressing
global issue. We plan to actively propose products made from recycled raw materials to our customersoverseas as well. As PET labels are easier to recycle
than polyvinyl chloride and polystyrene labels,
we aim to build a resource circulation network forrecycling containers that use shrink film, drawing
on cooperation from brand owners, converters, andrecycling business operators in overseas markets.

PET bottle labels made with SPACECLEAN® heat-shrinkable PET film

Our TEONEX® high-durability and heat-resistant polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) film is positioned as a defacto global standard, finding wide use in automotive applications in recent years. Since the early 2000s,
we have proposed TEONEX® to the automotive market as a material that will contribute to innovation inhighly anticipated, next-generation technologies for fuel cells. In 2020, we developed a sealing material thatsubjects TEONEX® to a proprietary adhesive coating and precision processing. This sealing material has
been adopted for use in the “MIRAI” fuel cell automobile for its high durability even in high-temperature orother harsh environments, and for its contribution to ensuring long-term reliability in fuel cells. Changing fromconventional vulcanized bonding to thermoplastic bonding with sealing material that uses TEONEX® hassignificantly improved cycle time from over 10 minutes to several seconds. This accomplishment earned theproduct the “Toyota Group Technology & Development Award” in fiscal 2021.
Fuel cell vehicles are the ultimate “eco-cars,” emitting only water during operation. Fuel cell vehicles,including large buses, trucks, and passenger automobiles, are expected to become widespread throughout
the mobility sector. In addition to bonding, TEONEX® provides functions including protection of power
generation surfaces, insulation, and retention of gas intake/exhaust shape, contributing to technologicalinnovation in fuel cells. The product is also expected to see use in water electrolytic hydrogen generators.
The use and evaluation of TEONEX® is advancing in hydrogen-related markets around the world. TEONEX®
holds potential as a key component
supporting the hydrogen society of thefuture, and is indispensable as a material for
proliferation of next-generation energy andthe achievement of a carbon-neutral society.

“MIRAI” fuel cell vehicle, an adopter of TEONEX®