This editor’s note highlights the key facts and market implications behind “World’s First: Material Recycling Achieved from “, with emphasis on sourcing, product fit, fabrication, logistics, or buyer impact.
Refinverse Group Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Akira Ochi; hereinafter "Refinverse Group") has developed a new recycled material "REOCA" (RE=REFINVERSE, OCA=Optimized Compound for Asphalt) through material recycling from scrap generated during the cutting of automotive interior materials. Sales of "REOCA" will begin on Monday, December 8.
Development Background
Scrap is generated during the process of cutting automotive interior materials into shapes specific to vehicle models. Globally, approximately 140,000 tons of interior material scrap is generated annually, with about 16,000 tons generated domestically in Japan. The majority of this is processed through thermal recovery (incineration for heat recovery). As automotive interior materials are composites made by combining multiple materials, separating them by material type and recycling has been difficult, and they have long been considered "difficult-to-reuse waste." As Refinverse Group, which has been working for over 20 years to promote a circular economy for waste from various industries, we have been collaborating with Toyota Boshoku to explore the recycling of automotive interior materials. During the application development process, with cooperation from our shareholder Inabata & Co., Ltd., with whom we have deepened ties through investment relations, we succeeded in developing the world's first material recycling process that converts automotive interior materials into an asphalt modifier. This gives new value to resources that were previously discarded and realizes a broad "Car to Car" cycle, connecting "automotive interiors" to "future roads."
Features of the Asphalt Modifier “REOCA”
Adding 0.2% of "REOCA" to asphalt improves durability by approximately 2.3 times compared to conventional modified asphalt. This also holds promise for contributing to a "smart mobility society."
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In the rapidly advancing "smart mobility society" with the spread of autonomous driving technology, vehicles are expected to repeatedly travel the same routes, concentrating load on specific areas of the road surface. Consequently, greater durability compared to before is required. By enhancing durability through the addition of "REOCA" and significantly suppressing rutting (deformation in wheel paths), it enables longer pavement life and is expected to reduce the frequency of repairs and maintenance costs.
By shifting the processing of automotive interior materials from conventional thermal recovery to material recycling, we have achieved approximately a 90% reduction in CO2 emissions. Furthermore, using "REOCA" also enables about a 40% reduction in CO2 emissions during asphalt manufacturing compared to virgin-derived modified asphalt.
In this way, "REOCA" is expected to be utilized across a wide range of areas and applications as a next-generation paving solution that simultaneously addresses resource circulation and infrastructure challenges.
Proof-of-Concept Paving at a Parking Lot
In March 2025, a proof-of-concept paving project for a parking lot using "REOCA" was conducted at the Refinverse Ichinomiya Plant. Performance under actual use conditions is being continuously evaluated, and even six months after construction, no deformation or cracking has occurred, confirming high paving performance.
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Future Outlook
Moving forward, we plan to sequentially expand applications to paving for stores, factories, logistics hubs, etc., and also advance technological development for further application expansion, thereby further increasing the recycling of automotive interior materials. Furthermore, taking this development as an opportunity, we will further strengthen collaboration with Toyota Boshoku and promote resource circulation initiatives, including the recycling of automotive interior materials. Refinverse Group will continue to contribute to solving social issues and realizing a resource-circulating society through sustainable material development and innovative recycling technologies.
About Refinverse Group
"Connecting wealth to the future with perspectives and technologies no one else has." For over 20 years, we have been practicing a circular economy and working on the regeneration and development of various materials. Our business includes collecting and regenerating tile carpet, which is discarded in large volumes from offices and facilities, into the recycled material "Refine Powder" that achieves horizontal recycling at our own plant, as well as regenerating discarded fishing nets and automotive airbags into high-quality recycled nylon pellets "REAMIDE." Since 2023, we have also begun new business by developing a new bio-material "ReFEZER" made from bird feathers, expanding our business and research to realize a circular society through business power.
