Teijin, Fujitsu to develop blockchain-based commercial platform for recycled materials manufacturing

Teijin Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan) and Fujitsu Ltd. (Tokyo) have launched a joint project to realize a blockchain-based commercial platform for enhancing the environmental value of recycled materials for manufacturers, in addition to solving the challenges of more reliable information management such as transparency and traceability. As a first step in this collaboration, Teijin and Fujitsu will start full-scale trials with fiber-reinforced plastics (FRP) within fiscal year 2022, materials which the companies say will require more advanced, environmentally conscious design efforts —  a design that takes into account the entire life cycle of a product and aims to reduce its environmental impact — in the future. Based on the results of these trials, the partners will consider expanding the scope of the project for other types of materials. 

The collaboration will promote environmentally conscious designs by leveraging Teijin’s life cycle assessment (LCA) calculation method for measuring the environmental impact of manufacturing processes across the value chain, as well as Fujitsu’s blockchain technology to collect and track primary data on environmental impact (including GHG emissions) to deliver reliable, transparent traceability. 

According to Teijin, the new platform will promote the use of recycled materials and environmentally friendly designs by providing manufacturers who design products from recycled materials with accurate information about their environmental footprint, including proof of origin of recycled materials and data on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

This joint effort demonstrates the two companies’ commitment to contributing to the realization of the common global goal of a carbon-neutral future and a circular economy. Teijin strives to provide innovative, people-centered solutions that improve peoples’ quality of life. Fujitsu is promoting “Sustainable Manufacturing” to achieve growth through the coexistence of people and the earth as one of its key focus areas under its global business brand, Fujitsu Uvance.

The two parties expect to further promote discussions and field trials with partner companies and organizations that support this initiative to contribute to the realization of carbon neutrality on a corporate and global level.