Japan’s Fujitsu Ltd. and Teijin have launched a joint project to promote the sustainable use of recycled materials and track emissions in the bicycle industry using a blockchain platform. The two Japanese firms will work with V Frames GmbH, a German manufacturer and distributor of carbon fiber reinforced plastic bicycle frames, and E Bike Advanced Technologies GmbH, a German bicycle manufacturer, in the joint project that runs from January to March 2023.
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Image courtesy of V Frames
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| V Frames uses recycled carbon fiber in its bike frames, which are injection molded in a cycle time of 90 seconds. |
As part of the effort, Teijin and Fujitsu will leverage a blockchain-based commercial platform launched in July 2022 to promote the sustainable use of recycled materials, while tracking and managing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within the environmentally conscious cycling industry. By implementing a business model that maximizes the environmental value of recycled materials, Teijin and Fujitsu aim to contribute to the further development of the carbon fiber recycling market and the realization of a circular economy. Following the successful conclusion of the joint trials, Teijin and Fujitsu will advance the implementation of the new platform, aiming for commercialization in fiscal year 2023, ending in March 2024.
Many European bicycle manufacturers use frames manufactured in Asia, and many of these frames also end up in landfills, often back in Asia. Energy consumption in the long-distance transport of resources, including materials and used frames across the supply chain, represents a major reason why resources are often not recycled and disposed of in a sustainable manner.
To contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from its business operations, V Frames uses local resources in Germany and recycles used frames in bicycle production. V Frames also use exclusive recycled carbon fiber in their bike frames which are injection molded in a cycle time of 90 seconds.
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Image courtesy of Teijin
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| Project partners aim to use blockchain to track sustainability in the bicycle industry. |
Within this joint project, Teijin and Fujitsu will conduct trials together with V Frames and Advanced Bikes to visualize the results of V Frames’ efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the manufacturing process, with the aim of promoting a common awareness of the environmental value of recycled materials within the bicycle industry and industries such as handles carbon fiber.
Specifically, a blockchain platform based on Fujitsu Track and Trust digital ledger technology will be used to develop tools for the visualization and delivery of tracked data. The ultimate goal is to create “digital twins” of bike frames in the blockchain and thus track their lives.
