Technical Textile Innovations in Japan

The Japanese textile industry is well known for its innovativeness. Asahi Kasei’s Precisé fine polyester nonwoven is “very thin, like paper” and has a fine and even structure. Kuraray’s new Vancool tent and awning material helps to block heat while its Clarino synthetic leather is being used for baseballs and lightweight shoes. Kuraray has also developed towable polyacrylate water bags made from Vectran, and Flextar fabrics made from Kuralon K-II polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Mitsubishi Rayon Engineering’s steam-jet entanglement process opens up new end uses for nonwovens. Fabrics made from Omikenshi’s Sundia viscose fibres are able to deodorise on exposure to sunlight. Crabyon activates the lysozyme enzyme in the body which gives protection from germs. Kishu Binchotan particles are said to create a sense of well-being, absorb odours and humidity and release far-infrared radiation to aid blood circulation. Other fibres contain the health-giving compounds squalene and squalane. Daiwabo is using artificial enzymes to create odour-free fabrics. Ingenious nonwovens containing photocatalysts are used for filtration by Kurashiki Textile. Teijin Twaron’s rubber additive based on a para-aramid fibre increases the durability of tyres and reduces rolling resistance.

Health and safety considerations are also prominent. Asahi Kasei, Teijin and Toyobo have developed polyester cushioning materials to compete with PU foam in public transport seating and household furniture. Also, a number of developments are directed towards environmental protection. Teijin Fibers has developed Ecocircle, a system for recycling synthetic fibres from discarded garments. Other companies have developed new processes for recycling polyester terephthalate (PET) bottles into polyester fibre.

Biofibres are also growing in importance. Teijin has a heat-stable polylactic alternative to traditional polyesters, and Toray has a biofibre car mat, also based on polylactic acid. Other plant-derived fibres include polybutylene succinate and natural fibres such as bamboo and kenaf. Fujitsu has a biopolymer derived from castor oil and Honda has a plant-based fabric for car interiors.

Teijin’s new monofilament Morphotex mimics butterfly wings by using interference to produce colour without pigments or dyes. Teijin also has a polyester alternative to high grade merino wool and a polyester fabric for sportswear which absorbs and releases moisture rapidly.

Technical Textile Innovations in Japan

• Summary
  

• Asahi Kasei: Precisé- A new polyester multilayer spunbonded fabric
  

• Asahi Kasei, Teijin And Toyobo: Fusion, Elk and Braceair - Polyester alternatives to polyurethane foam for cushioning materials
  Asahi Kasei: Fusion
  Teijin and Suminoe Textile: Elk
  Toyobo: Braceair
  

• Kuraray: Clarino synthetic leather
  

• Kuraray and Spalding: Improved basketballs made using Clarino synthetic leather
  

• Kuraray: Heat blocking tent and awning material employing Vancool heat-blocking film
  

• Mitsubishi Rayon Engineering: Steam-jet entanglement could be used to produce nonwovens with novel properties for new applications
  

• Kuraflex: New flextar fabrics made from polyvinyl alcohol fibres
  

• Kuraflex: Polyacrylate water carriers made from Vectran
  

• Teijin: Ecocircle - A new recycling system for polyester fibres
  

• Teijin: Morphotex monofilament fibres with 61 nanolayers enable colours to be produced without pigments or dyes
  

• Teijin: A new patented process gives polyester the appearance and handle of high grade merino wool
  

• Teijin Twaron: Sulfron 3000 enhances the performance and lifetime of rubber in tyres
  

• Teijin: Heat-resistant bioplastic
  

• Teijin: New self-regulating fibres for controlling moisture and stretch
  

• Toray and Mitsubishi: Plant-based car mat reduces CO₂ and volatile organic compound emissions
  

• NEC and Unitika: Kenaf adds strength to bioplastics for electronic devices and improves the environmental acceptability of mobile phones
  

• Fujitsu: A new biopolymer made from castor oil withstands repeated bending in notebook PCs and mobile phones
  

• Honda: Plant-based fabric for car interiors
  

• Daiwabo: Deometafi deodorant fibre
  

• Suzutora: Maza — An improved technology for coating textiles with metal
  

• Omikenshi: Viscose fibres with built-in properties
  

• Omikenshi: Viscose fibres with built-in properties
  Sundia
  Crabyon
  Kishu Binchotan
  

• Omikenshi: Viscose fibres containing squalene, a compound extracted from shark's liver
  

• Kurashiki: Photocatalytically modified nonwovens for filtration
  

• Contact
  

To read the full report buy issue 69 now	Subscribe

• Statistics: Asian Fibre Consumption and Production, (1st quarter 2007)
• The world nonwovens industry: part 3 -- ten smaller producers, 1st quarter 2007, (1st quarter 2007)
• Innovations in fibres, technical textiles, apparel and machinery, 4th quarter 2006, (4th quarter 2006)
• The world nonwovens industry: part 3 -- 20 medium sized producers, 1st quarter 2005, (3rd-4th quarters 2004)
• Profile of Mitsubishi Rayon, (1st quarter 2000)

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