OTIZ co-developed the industry’s first 100% chemically recycled polyester airbag with Autoliv, the world’s leading automotive safety supplier. The breakthrough denotes a success in crossing the technological threshold of applying recycled textile materials in automotive safety products.

As the global automotive industry pivots towards carbon neutrality and net zero emissions, Autoliv, a major European airbag manufacturer, had been seeking to develop low-carbon products by forming partnerships with suppliers powered by low-carbon technologies. OTIZ caught Autoliv’ attention with its 100% chemically recycled polyester. Together through trial and error, the partnership gave birth to the performance airbag sourced from recycled polyester, a product that has met all the functional criteria. 

The 100% chemically recycled polyester airbag marks an unprecedented success in the industry’s attempt in using recycled raw materials. By continuously pushing technological advancement, FENC has created products sourced from recycled materials with the same performance as those from virgin polyester. In 2021, FENC set an industry record with the pioneering rPET tire cord fabrics, which have been commercialized. Now, FENC has done it again by expanding the polyester application to airbags, a crucial element in automotive safety. The breakthrough represents not only FENC’s ability to integrate the polyester technology innovatively, but a boost in confidence in the development of low-carbon automotive textiles.