DUESSELDORF, Germany – September 3, 2025 – Japanese technology company Asahi Kasei will present its latest innovations at K 2025, including PFAS-free polyamides and a breakthrough recycling technology for continuous carbon fibers. The company will also highlight diverse material solutions for automotive applications, improved connectivity, and lightweight design. K 2025, the world’s leading trade fair for plastics and rubber, will take place from October 8–15, 2025, in Düsseldorf, Germany.
Asahi Kasei has developed an innovative recycling method to recover continuous carbon fibers from CFRP pressure vessels used in automobiles. Using electrolyzed sulfuric acid, the resin matrix is fully decomposed while maintaining the original strength and continuous structure of the fibers. Unlike conventional methods that yield chopped fibers, this approach enables cost-effective recycling of high-quality continuous carbon fibers. At the K Show, Asahi Kasei will exhibit over 200 meters of recycled fibers.
The company will also showcase PA and SEBS compounds reinforced with bio-based, biodegradable cellulose nanofiber (CNF), derived from cotton linter. CNF offers high heat resistance and network-forming ability. CNF-reinforced polyamide becomes less viscous under agitation, making it ideal for 3D printing with easy processing, dimensional accuracy, smooth appearance, and strong mechanical performance. CNF-reinforced SEBS provides adjustable softness, low shrinkage, minimal warpage, and strong hydrolysis resistance—suitable for applications such as jigs, tooling, prosthetics, and orthotics.
Responding to rising demand for PFAS-free materials, Asahi Kasei is developing a PFAS-free low-friction LEONA™ polyamide, which will debut in Europe at K 2025. Internal testing shows it performs comparably to fluororesins, making it suitable for sliding applications in automotive, robotics, office automation, and sporting goods.
For automotive lightweighting and streamlined production, Asahi Kasei will display several innovations. The transparent polymer AZP™, with nearly zero birefringence, addresses challenges of conventional transparent polymers in polarized light applications such as VR/AR devices and automotive HUDs, while maintaining high processability for mass production. Visitors can experience an interactive HUD demo using AZP™.
Traditionally, automotive interiors such as panels and consoles require multiple materials and processes. Asahi Kasei’s SEBS enables both skin and foam layers to be molded in one step via core-back injection molding. This strong bonding reduces materials, simplifies processes, and improves recyclability.
The company will also present SunForce™, a modified PPE particle foam designed for thin-walled, complex parts needing tight tolerances, high heat stability, and flame retardancy. Applications include thermal management in electronics, battery transport trays, HVAC insulation, and FRP composite foam cores.
To meet the demand for cost and weight reduction in radar applications, Asahi Kasei developed XYRON™, a wet-platable mPPE that eliminates metal milling and allows mass production of injection-molded resin antennas.
Asahi Kasei will exhibit at Hall 8a, Booth E23. More details: K 2025 Landing Page
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