- Project to recycle zirconia dental milling waste into regenerated raw material and remanufactured blocks, targeting practical application in fiscal 2028.
- Shofu will collect used zirconia blanks and Tosoh will regenerate the waste using its Zirconia Refine Technology.
- Orbray will mold and commercialize blocks from the regenerated material while Mitsui Chemicals provides operational support.
- Partners will work with dental laboratories to close the zirconia supply loop and cut waste from milling disc-shaped blanks.
Project summary
Shofu, Tosoh, Mitsui Chemicals and Orbray launched a joint verification project to recycle zirconia waste generated during milling of dental prosthetics, targeting practical application in fiscal 2028.
Technical process and roles
Zirconia, used for crowns and bridges for its aesthetics and durability, generates substantial milling waste from disc-shaped blanks; Shofu will collect used zirconia, Tosoh will regenerate it into raw material using its Zirconia Refine Technology, Orbray will mold and commercialize blocks from the regenerated material, and Mitsui Chemicals will provide operational support.
Collaboration and objective
The partners will work with dental laboratories, the principal end users, to establish a recycling scheme intended to close the zirconia supply loop and reduce waste from the milling process.
