Displaying fully automated frame production in combination with 100% recycled material made Hsin Yung Chien Co., Ltd. (HYC) one of the stand-out exhibitors at this year’s Taipei Cycle Show – showcasing a bicycle frame made almost entirely from recycled plastics.
The concept of using plastics for frame building is not new in the bicycle industry. However, HYC developed the so-called long carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites for building bicycles frames as well as many other products. “This material combines long carbon fiber and one of the thermoplastic resins into long carbon fiber thermoplastics pellet”, explained HYC General Manager Tony Lin. “These pellets can be used for the production of light weight and strong products in any shape. But more important is that is can be 100 percent recycled and used again. Besides the sustainability, the material includes all the characteristics required for strong and stiff bicycle frames.”
HYC is a very diverse company as the whole manufacturing process is done in-house, from producing the raw material, building the machinery and the final product. Started in 1964, it is Taiwan’s largest rubber conveyor belts manufacturer today and listed on the Taipei Stock Exchange. Over the years, the company also developed multiple polymers and a heating path technology, now used for frame building. This technology is now put on the market for the bicycle industry.
“At Taipei Cycle Show we were looking for partners in the industry and to create more awareness for our fully automatic frame production technology,” said Tony Lin. “The bicycle industry is looking for innovative and sustainable frame production and our technology meets both requirements. For sure with this technology the average price of the final product is higher than for a regular alloy frame, but this concept is hundred percent cradle-to-cradle and with that future proof.”
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