Toray Industries has developed a nylon 510 (N510) fiber that incorporates 100% bio-based synthetic polymer content as defined under section 3.1.5 of ISO 16620-1: 2015, the international standard for the bio-based content of plastics. Ecodear N510 will be the first 100% plant-based nylon fiber in Toray’s Ecodear lineup.
While primarily for sports and outdoor fabrics, potential applications also include lightweights, cut-and-sew fabrics and innerwear lace materials.
Toray plans to begin Ecodear N510 textiles sales for fall/winter 2023. Initial production volume is expected to be 200,000m by the end of March 2023, growing to 600,000m in March 2026. Ecodear N510 fiber sales are targeted for fall/winter 2024, with an expectation of a monthly supply of 3 metric tons monthly in the year ending March 2024.
Toray already offers partially plant-based polyester, nylon, and other polymers. It developed Ecodear N510 by polymerizing Sebacic acid from castor-oil plant and Pentamethylenediamine from corn and spinning.
Unlike other wholly plant-based nylons, Ecodear N510 has a high melting point and outstanding dimensional stability. It is as strong and heat-resistant as Nylon 6.
Toray looks to combine various proprietary technologies to drive further fiber advances. These would include making fibers thinner and lighter or adding functionality by changing cross-sectional shapes. The company plans to develop an array of apparel and other materials for sustainable applications.
Under its sustainability vision, Toray has pledged to offer innovative technologies and advanced materials that provide real solutions to the international community’s myriad challenges in balancing development and sustainability.
Ecodear N510 represents part of the Toray Group’s efforts to help attain carbon neutrality by 2050.
Source: toray.com
