How Teijin Advances Sustainable Supply Chains in Healthcare
Teijin is putting supply chain resilience and sustainability at the centre of its operations, reshaping how high-performance materials and healthcare intersect with sustainability.
The global high-performance materials market now stands at US$112.5bn, with projections reaching US$185.3bn by 2033, driven by demand from automotive, aerospace and electronics for lighter, more energy-efficient products.
Healthcare, meanwhile, is expanding on the back of digital platforms and ageing populations.
According to McKinsey, the sector’s EBITDA is set to rise from US$676bn in 2023 to US$987bn by 2028, with 8-9% yearly growth in specialised healthcare and technology services.
Supply chains rooted in sustainability
Teijin is integrating sustainability in the centre of its operations, with a target net zero by 2050.
Key manufacturing operations are shifting toward renewable energy, with European and Chinese facilities progressing ahead of schedule.
Coal use is being phased out, including at sites in Thailand and Japan.
A cogeneration gas system installed at Matsuyama Factory North Plant is expected to cut CO₂ emissions by 200,000 tons per year, which accounts for 30% of the company’s 2030 carbon reduction target.
Teijin Carbon has launched the Tenax Next™ R2S 513 – a short carbon fibre product created from reclaimed materials which enables circular use within the carbon fibre sector.
“With this innovation, we are taking another step toward a sustainable future,” says Dr Julian Lowe, Global Industrial Group Manager at Teijin Carbon.
“Our goal is to pave the way for a true circular economy in the carbon fibre industry and provide our customers with an environmentally friendly alternative that optimises their production processes while reducing waste and emissions.”
In 2025, the company earned an EcoVadis Gold rating for procurement sustainability, highlighting supply chain initiatives. Its Basic Policy for Purchasing and Procurement outlines strict criteria: legal compliance, human rights, environmental impact and safety.
In July 2025, Teijin Frontier introduced its Supplier Grievance Mechanism, designed to enhance transparency and accountability across its procurement network.
Suppliers are now assessed not only on financial and technical merit but also corporate social responsibility.
Regenerative medicine integration
Teijin’s approach to healthcare delivery relies on a seamless integration of in-house capabilities and partner collaboration.
Its regenerative medicine supply chain model combines contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) services, research and commercial production.
President and CEO Akimoto Uchikawa says: “While striving to achieve the goals set in the Medium-Term Management Plan, we will make company-wide efforts to solve social issues based on our purpose, ‘Pioneering solutions together for a healthy planet,’ and continue to work on achieving our long-term vision of becoming a ‘company that supports the society of the future’.”
Partners include Japan Tissue Engineering Company (J-TEC), Regenet and various academic institutions.
This one-stop model supports product development and ensures a streamlined flow of biomaterials, equipment and expertise across all stages of research and delivery.
These partnerships help Teijin support a future-ready healthcare system, built on connected supply chains and responsive infrastructure.
Technology and data integration play a central role in this transformation, as AI-based tools are embedded in Teijin's research and production systems.
This includes data analytics for advanced fibre quality control and predictive maintenance across production lines.
In collaboration with Floadia Corporation, Teijin is co-developing AI chips optimised for data-heavy applications in edge devices and smart systems. These chips are planned for commercial rollout by the end of 2025.
The partnership strengthens Teijin’s stake in semiconductors and ensures its materials technology remains aligned with demands from AI-driven industries.
Circular production and digital control
From fibre production to health diagnostics, Teijin connects its supply chains through intelligent systems and data-sharing platforms.
It is this integration – from raw materials to end-user delivery – that enables the company to support a sustainable supply chain in both materials science and healthcare.
Akimoto adds: “The Purpose expresses our strong sense of commitment to create pioneering solutions for the health of the global environment, the people and all life living on our planet, through collaboration with our employees and external partners who share our values.”