Asahi Kasei to Unveil PFAS-Free Polyamides and CFRP Recycling Technology at K 2025

DUESSELDORF, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 3, 2025--

Japanese technology company Asahi Kasei will unveil its newest innovation in PFAS-free polyamides and recycling technology of continuous carbon fibers at K 2025 in Hall 8a, Booth E23. The company will also showcase its diversified material solutions for automotive applications, improved connectivity and lightweighting. K 2025 is considered the world's No. 1 trade fair for plastics and rubber and will take place from October 8-15, 2025, in Düsseldorf, Germany.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250903979868/en/

Asahi Kasei has developed a groundbreaking recycling technology that enables the recovery of continuous carbon fibers from CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced plastics) pressure vessels used in automobiles. Utilizing electrolyzed sulfuric acid, the process completely decomposes the resin matrix while preserving the carbon fibers' original strength and continuous structure. Unlike conventional recycling methods that result in chopped fibers, this technology allows for the perpetual recycling of high-quality, cost-effective continuous carbon fibers from CFRP pressure vessels. At the K Show, Asahi Kasei will showcase over 200 meters of recycled continuous carbon fiber.

Asahi Kasei will also display PA and SEBS compounds utilizing a bio-based and biodegradable cellulose nano fiber (CNF). This material is made from cotton linter and has high heat resistance and network-forming ability. CNF-reinforced polyamide becomes less viscous when agitated, making it highly suitable for 3D printing applications for easy printing, dimensional accuracy, smooth appearance, and mechanical performance. CNF-reinforced SEBS features a unique softness, which can be adjusted by changing the internal structure of the molded product. In addition, it shows a very low warpage and shrinkage, and good hydrolysis resistance. These properties make this material suitable for a wide range of applications, for example, jigs & tooling or prosthetics & orthotics devices.

In response to the increasing demand for PFAS-free materials, Asahi Kasei is developing a PFAS-free low-friction LEONA™ polyamide and will introduce the new grade for the first time in Europe. Based on internal evaluations, the material has the same low-friction properties as fluororesins, making it suitable for sliding applications in various industries, including automotive, robot parts, OA parts, and sporting goods.

Materials for lightweighting and streamlined production of automotive parts

There has been a growing emphasis on reduced weight and improved design in automotive manufacturing. Asahi Kasei will display various technologies to address the most pressing concerns of automotive manufacturers at K 2025. One such solution is the transparent polymer, AZP™, which features an almost zero birefringence at a lightweight. It overcomes the challenges of conventional transparent polymers in applications with polarizing light, such as Virtual & Augmented Reality devices and automotive head-up displays (HUD), while maintaining superior processability for large-scale production of injection-molded optical components. The company will exhibit an interactive automotive demonstration at K 2025 to showcase how AZP™ contributes to next-generation HUD.

Conventional approaches to automotive instrument panels, door panels, armrests, or center consoles have used different materials and production technologies for skin, foam, and core layers. Asahi Kasei’s SEBS material is suitable for skin and foam layers, which can be molded in one step by utilizing a core back injection molding process and the strong chemical bonding between all layers eliminates the need for additional adhesive layers. SEBS contributes to reducing the total number of materials, simplifying the manufacturing process, and improving the recyclability of interior components.

Another solution to streamlining the manufacturing process for OEMs from Asahi Kasei is the mPPE (modified polyphenylene ether) particle foam, SunForce™. This material is well-suited for mass production of thin-walled, complex-shaped parts that require low tolerances, high heat stability, or UL94 V-0 flame retardancy. These properties make SunForce™ a perfect fit for thermal management solutions in electronic devices, transportation trays for Li-Ion battery cells, insulation parts for HVACs, and foam cores for FRP composite parts.

With the increasing number of radar applications across industries, the pressure to reduce material, production costs, and weight is rising. Slotted waveguide array antennas for automotive millimeter-wave radars are typically made of metal, requiring cost- and time-intensive milling processes. Asahi Kasei’s mPPE XYRON™ features proven wet-platability, omitting the milling process and allowing for mass production of resin antenna parts via injection moulding which lowers cost and increases scalability.

Asahi Kasei will exhibit in Hall 8a, Booth E23. For more information, visit the dedicated landing page: https://k-2025.asahi-kasei.eu/de.

About Asahi Kasei

The Asahi Kasei Group contributes to life and living for people around the world. Since its foundation in 1922 with ammonia and cellulose fiber business, Asahi Kasei has consistently grown through the proactive transformation of its business portfolio to meet the evolving needs of every age. With more than 50,000 employees worldwide, the company contributes to sustainable society by providing solutions to the world’s challenges through its three business sectors of Healthcare, Homes, and Material. For more information, visit www.asahi-kasei.com.

Asahi Kasei is also dedicated to sustainability initiatives and is contributing to reaching a carbon neutral society by 2050. To learn more, visit https://www.asahi-kasei.com/sustainability/.

SEBS for automotive interior surfaces

Comparison of optical performance of AZP and conventional optical polymers

XYRON Slotted waveguide array antenna

Asahi Kasei booth at K 2025

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Roger Penske and IndyCar found a Texas-sized “playground” in Jerry Jones’ neighborhood for a temporary street course to bring the series back to the Dallas-Fort Worth market.

Nearly three years after IndyCar last ran on the fast 1 1/2-mile oval at Texas Motor Speedway about 30 miles away, the open-wheel series will race Sunday on a 2.73-mile, 14-turn circuit on the streets of Arlington around the home stadiums of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys and MLB’s Texas Rangers.

“It’s iconic because we are here between the Cowboys and the Rangers real estate. To have this as our playground, you might call it, for a weekend is amazing,” Penske said. “We don’t have this kind of commitment any place that we go as we do here. The investment by the partners along with IndyCar is amazing.”

The Grand Prix of Arlington is the first of three new street races on the IndyCar schedule this season. It is also the start of a multiyear deal in North Texas that came together with the involvement of a pair of successful businessmen and showmen. Their relationships goes back to when Penske was chairman of the host committee for the Super Bowl played in Detroit in 2006, five years before one in Jones' then sparkling-new stadium.

The 89-year-old Penske acquired the racing series in January 2020 and this year marks his 60 years as a team owner, with more than 650 major race wins and 48 championships across multiple series. The 83-year-old Jones is a three-time Super Bowl champion owner, though the most recent title came three decades ago. whose Cowboys play in the stadium referred to as “JerryWorld” because of his desire for big events there.

AT&T Stadium was the site of the first championship game in the College Football Playoff era, an NCAA men’s Final Four and an NBA All-Star Game. This inaugural race comes three months before the first of nine scheduled World Cup matches there, the most for any of the 16 host markets this year for the world’s most-watched sporting event, and while work goes on inside the stadium to prepare for the installation of a grass field.

“Certainly we know what the World Cup’s going to be. But it is amazing what we’re going to do with IndyCar,” Jones said. “There’s no way to that you can present any better, any classier, with any more fan-friendly presentation that’s been put right out here.”

During a ribbon-cutting this week for IndyCar's longest street course, Jones said he couldn’t believe what he was seeing and how everything came together — from the track trimmed with paint schemes recognizing the NFL and MLB franchises partnering with IndyCar, to the grandstands and hospitality areas throughout Arlington’s entertainment district. The area is just off Interstate 30 halfway between the downtown areas of Dallas and Fort Worth, a metroplex with more than 8 million residents.

“This thing has been done first class. And no detail has been spared,” said Jones, who also expressed his excitement for the event's future. "One thing for sure, Roger Penske, they wanted first impressions to be the right one."

A double-sided pit is set up on the road between AT&T Stadium and Globe Life Field, where the Rangers are about to begin their seventh season. There are a couple of curves into a horseshoe turn in the Cowboys' parking lot that will lead drivers into a 0.9-mile straight where speeds could reach 190 mph and goes between the MLB team's current and old stadiums. Both of those baseball venues have hosted two World Series.

“I think this is the new standard, this is what IndyCar needs to stick to,” six-time series champion Scott Dixon said.

“The build of the track, it’s all the attention to detail here. I think it’s very, very impressive,” driver Marcus Ericsson said. “I think this really raises the standard of IndyCar racing."

Texas Motor Speedway hosted 36 IndyCar races from the track's opening in 1997 until Josef Newgarden won the last race there April 2, 2023 — and also the previous one in 2022. The series raced on that high-banked track twice a year from 1998-2004, including six season finales in a row.

The five drivers who combined to win the last 10 IndyCar races at TMS, where laps could be more than 200 mph, are racing in Arlington.

“I've got a lot of fond memories obviously," said Dixon, who won three of those races, and five overall at the track.

“It’s great to be back. I loved the Texas Motor Speedway. Selfishly as a driver, I wish you could go everywhere,” said three-time TMS winner Newgarden, who also won last week in Phoenix. “I would love to race there and here. But if we’re not going to be there, I’m happy that we have this event. I’m certainly really pleased with what they’ve put on here.”

Ericsson, in his eighth IndyCar season and making his 117th start, will be on the pole for the first time after a lap of 104.158 mph in the final round of qualifying Saturday. He never had a pole in 97 F1 races from 2014-18.

The green flag for Sunday's race was moved up to 11 a.m. local time (CDT), from 12:20 p.m., because of the forecast of 25-35 mph winds later in the day, with the potential for gusts of 40 mph or more.

AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing

A lone auto race fan watches practice runs for the IndyCar Grand Prix of Arlington auto race, Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Driver Marcus Ericsson holds the pole position trophy for the IndyCar Grand Prix of Arlington auto race, Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Indy NXT cars drive through Turn 1 during a practice session at ATT Stadium, Friday, March 13, in Arlington, Texas. (Associated Press/Stephen Hawkins)

IndyCar driver Josef Newgarden answers questions during a media session inside ATT Stadium, Friday, March 13, in advance of the Grand Prix of Arlington on a temporary street course outside the stadium, which is also being prepared for hosting nine World Cup soccer matches later this year, in Arlington, Texas. (Associated Press/Stephen Hawkins)

Driver Louis Foster (45) drives during practice for the IndyCar Grand Prix of Arlington auto race, Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Emergency crew moves driver Josef Newgarden's car after he hit a wall during practice for IndyCar Grand Prix of Arlington auto race, Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

FILE -Texas Rangers chief operating officer Neil Leibman, left, Penske corporation chairman Roger Penske, center, and Dallas Cowboys team owner Jerry Jones, right, attend a news conference in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, announcing the IndyCar Grand Prix of Arlington to be held in 2026. (AP Photo/Jerome Miron, File)