Establishes the "Toyo Tanso Carbon Recycling Design Joint Research Laboratory" with Gifu University

For the attention of all concerned parties:

April 7, 2026

(Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market: 5310)

- Advancing Original Technologies Based on a New Approach to Carbon Material Circulation Without Passing Through CO₂ -

Toyo Tanso Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Kita-ku, Osaka; Chairman, President and CEO: Naotaka Kondo; hereinafter "Toyo Tanso") announced the establishment of the "Toyo Tanso Carbon Recycling Design Joint Research Laboratory" with Gifu University (Location: Gifu City; President: Kazuhiro Yoshida), effective April 1, 2026.

Since January 2023, Toyo Tanso has been conducting joint research with Gifu University, Kyushu University, and Kyoto Institute of Technology to realize the circular use of carbon materials, including the recycling of carbon fibers. This research has focused on developing a resource circulation model utilizing chemical decomposition processes and elucidating the underlying decomposition mechanisms. In addition, the research has examined the molecular characteristics of materials obtained after decomposition, along with their potential applications and feasibility for diversifying sources of carbon raw materials.

Building on the results obtained through this joint research, Toyo Tanso has decided to establish the joint research laboratory with Gifu University as a framework to continuously and systematically advance these achievements. Through the joint research laboratory, Toyo Tanso aims to promote the practical application of circulation technologies for carbon materials over the medium to long term by conducting fundamental and process-oriented research on decomposition processes and the circular utilization of carbon materials.

Gifu University's Irisawa Laboratory has played a leading role in Japan in the development of low-cost carbon fibers and technologies for the effective utilization of recycled carbon fibers. Through this joint research laboratory, Toyo Tanso will collaborate with the laboratory to advance novel decomposition technologies for carbon materials and to pursue conversion technologies that enable the transformation of carbon fibers and other high-value-added carbon materials.

Through the establishment of this joint research laboratory, Toyo Tanso will further deepen its collaboration with academia, strengthen its research foundation in the field of carbon materials, and work toward the creation of environmentally responsive technologies as well as technologies related to the resource circulation of carbon raw materials.

• Research Objectives
  
  
• Overview of the Joint Research Laboratory

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