TAIYO YUDEN / JEPLAN: Recycling PET raw material (BHET) through chemical recycling of PET films in multilayer ceramic capacitors

TOKYO, April 11, 2025 - TAIYO YUDEN CO., LTD. and JEPLAN, INC. are conducting an initiative to recycle PET raw material BHET by chemically recycling PET film used in the manufacturing process for multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCC).
The MLCC manufacturing process involves the use of PET film when forming the dielectric sheet. In this initiative, we are using JEPLAN's chemical recycling technology and chemically processing used PET film to remove impurities. We have confirmed that the process results in petroleum derived or an equal quality of high-purity BHET that can be reused in PET products. Both companies plan to sequentially bring in an initiative to create a resource cycle for PET films through chemical recycling starting in 2026.

Background
In the MLCC manufacturing process, there is a coating stage in which dielectric is applied on top of PET film to form a thin, uniform dielectric sheet. Conventionally, we conducted material recycling that involved used PET film recycling by removing impurities through mechanical processing in such areas as the dielectric that was adhered to the surface, then pulverizing it into pellets to return it to PET raw materials.
Using our new process, we have confirmed that we can recycle PET film discharged in the MLCC manufacturing process by chemical recycling, because it removes impurities in the film--including the additives and others--to result in petroleum derived or an equal quality of high-purity BHET. Both companies are striving to achieve resource circulation for PET raw materials through wide-ranging uses of this BHET as a raw material in various PET products, starting with PET films.
Based on the recognition that ESG poses both opportunities and risks to its business management, the TAIYO YUDEN Group is conducting activities to solve social issues through its business operations. In connection with our medium-term management plan 2025--in which we set forth target values related to ESG initiatives as we aim to enhance corporate value through the combination of economic and social value--we are accelerating activities aimed at raising social value. It is necessary to build a recycling-based society in order to respond to global-scale issues such as increasingly severe resource shortages, environmental pollution, and the need to conserve biodiversity. The TAIYO YUDEN Group has established its materiality as "efficiently using resources and helping to build a recycling-based society," and is striving to reduce wastes and recover resources in the MLCC production process. Through this scheme, we will promote even more effective use of resources and contribute to the achievement of a sustainable society.
Going forward, the TAIYO YUDEN Group promote the sustainable use of resources in our business activities and aim to be an excellent corporate group that builds trust and emotional connections with all stakeholders.