Taiyo Corporation (Head Office: Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture; Representative Director: Keisuke Abe) is pleased to announce that a paper on road heating technology, which it is jointly researching with Metropolitan Expressway Company, won the PIARC Award (Winter Service Category) sponsored by the World Road Association (PIARC) at the 17th World Congress on Winter Roads, Disaster Prevention, and Decarbonization held in Chambéry, France. We are pleased to announce that we received the PIARC Award (Winter Service Category) at the 17th World Congress on Winter Roads, Disaster Prevention and Decarbonization held in Chambéry, France.

This road heating technology utilizes TAIYO SHEET_RH, a heat-generating sheet inspired by the traditional Japanese paper manufacturing method, and was developed to prevent vehicles from getting stuck due to snow.

1. outline of the award

Name: PIARC Award (Winter Service Category)
Title of paper : Road heating using paper made by traditional Japanese papermaking techniques
Awardee: Kentaro Kuraji (Metropolitan Expressway Company Limited)
Co-authors: Yosuke Ishihara (Metropolitan Expressway Company), Hitoshi Kato (Taiyo Corporation)
Award Ceremony : March 10, 2026 17th Global Conference on Winter Roads, Disaster Risk Reduction and Decarbonization

 

About TAIYO SHEET_RH

TAIYO SHEET_RH, developed by Taiyo Corporation, is a road heating technology using a heat-generating sheet of uniformly dispersed carbon fiber inspired by traditional Japanese paper-making techniques. Compared to conventional road heating, TAIYO SHEET_RH effectively heats only the area where tires run, thereby reducing energy consumption and preventing vehicles from being held up by snow.

 

3. technology features

• High efficiency by spot heating
  By heating only the area where tires pass through with pinpoint accuracy, the system prevents road surface icing and snow accumulation while reducing energy consumption.


• Retrofit construction (retrofit)
  The sheet structure is only a few millimeters thick, so it can be installed without major modifications to the existing pavement.


• low cost
  Can be manufactured using existing paper manufacturing facilities, allowing for wide-scale introduction.

 

4. introduction in Japan

TAIYO SHEET_RH has already been introduced in several places such as expressways in Japan, and is being used as a measure to prevent vehicles from being held up by snow.

*For more information on actual case studieshere

 

Representative Comment (Representative Director: Keisuke Abe)

We are honored that our road heating technology, developed in collaboration with Metropolitan Expressway Company, Inc. has been recognized at the World Road Congress (PIARC).

TAIYO SHEET_RH, inspired by the traditional Japanese paper manufacturing process, has been developed as a technology that can both eliminate traffic obstacles caused by snow and improve energy efficiency.

We will continue to develop and disseminate technologies to improve the safety of road infrastructure and contribute to the realization of a decarbonized society.

 

5. about the World Road Association (PIARC)

Founded in 1909, the World Road Association (PIARC) is the oldest international organization in the road sector, with more than 120 member countries. the PIARC Prize is awarded every four years at the World Congress for innovative research that contributes to the development of the road sector.

 

Related Links

PIARC AWARDS 2026
https://pre-proceedings-chambery2026.piarc.org/en/documents/PIARC-Awards-2026

TAIYO SHEET_RH introduction page
https://taiyo-sheet.jp/

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About Us

Company Name : Taiyo Co.
Location : 2-3-5 Tsuji, Minami-ku, Saitama-shi, Saitama
Representative: ABE Keisuke
Business : Development and manufacture of road heating technology "TAIYO SHEET_RH

 

Inquiry Form

Taiyo Corporation
TAIYOSHEET Sales Department Public Relations Manager : Kobayashi
Email : kobayashi.y@renewal-taiyo.co.jp