Bio-Based Fiber
Rice and wood – building for the future on Japan’s natural resources and fiber legacy
Many of Japan’s major corporations began as fiber manufacturers, and their expansion has been decades long, typically involving diversification into other fields such as chemicals, plastics, pharmaceuticals, life sciences, real estate, etc. Asahi Kasei, Kuraray, Teijin, Toray Industries and Toyobo, for example, all emerged as manufacturers of viscose rayon in the 1920s and have remained …
A strange brew – genetically engineered polymeric fibers
Over the past century, man has truly harnessed the power of artificial polymer materials; polymeric fiber materials have allowed for applications not possible with the use of natural fibers. Driven by cost, ease of processing and variety of applications, the use of synthetic polymer fibers has expanded to all corners of life. However, these polymers …
Bio-based fibers with improved properties for clothing applications
Most fabrics currently available on the market are made of natural fibers, such as cotton and wool, and polyester (PES) blends. With the aim of finding a more sustainable material to produce clothing, polylactic acid (PLA) has been used to replace PES. PLA is biodegradable, compostable and obtained from renewable resources. It is also suitable for obtaining melt-processable fibers. PLA’s …