Toyota Boshoku Mass-Produces High-Recycled-Rubber Seals for New RAV4

Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. has successfully commercialized the production of automotive weatherstripping containing a high proportion of recycled rubber, which is now being used for the first time in the new Toyota RAV4 model. This initiative aims to advance carbon neutrality and resource circularity. Compared to steel and plastics, rubber is significantly more difficult to recycle and is typically incinerated at end-of-life. Conventional devulcanization processes can break the sulfur bonds in rubber but often result in reduced material strength and lingering odors. Through technological breakthroughs, Toyoda Gosei has overcome these challenges, paving a new path toward high-value recycling of rubber materials.