Canon unveils a breakthrough in sustainability. Their new recycled PET plastic combines flame retardancy with strength, rivalling polycarbonate. Imagine eco-friendly exteriors for office devices.

Japan, 1 November 2023, Canon has developed a recycled plastic that is not only less flammable but also boasts increased strength. By incorporating additives into recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste plastic, Canon has achieved performance levels comparable to polycarbonate (PC). This innovative plastic can be utilized for the exteriors of office multifunction devices. The ability to enhance the value of general-purpose PET through recycling opens up possibilities for expanding the use of recycled plastic resources.

Multifunction devices often feature exteriors made of engineering plastic, a combination of PC and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) to ensure flame retardancy and mechanical strength. Despite being derived from PET, Canon's recycled plastic exhibits the same flame retardancy and strength as PC-based plastic.

While there are methods to enhance the functionality of recycled plastic using additives, achieving both flame retardancy and strength has traditionally been challenging, as increasing flame retardancy tends to decrease strength. Canon addressed this issue by fine-tuning the formulation to improve both flame retardancy and strength. Practical application will be considered after evaluating cost, functionality, and formability.

Unlike PC, which is primarily used for applications requiring strength and impact resistance, PET is employed in a wide range of products, and waste plastic is easily collectable. Depending on the model, multifunction devices may contain up to 30 kilograms of plastic both inside and outside. If the developed recycled plastic proves practical, it could significantly increase the amount of recycled material used.

In its printer business, the company aims to enhance resource sustainability by incorporating recycled materials and reusing parts. The plan is to raise the resource circulation rate to 50% by 2030, a substantial increase from 16% in 2022. Canon unveiled the recycled PET plastic at Canon EXPO, an in-house exhibition held recently in October.

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Source: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun