Mitsubishi Corporation and Goldwin, the operator of the North Face brand in Japan, are spearheading a consortium to establish a supply chain for sustainable PET polyester fiber. A mass balancing approach will ensure credible traceability of material streams throughout the supply chain.

This initiative involves producing polyester from renewable and bio-based materials, as well as key monomer paraxylene derived from carbon capture and utilization (CCU). The consortium includes Mitsubishi, Goldwin, Chiyoda Corporation, Toyobo, Indorama Ventures, SK geo centric, India Glycols, and Neste.

Goldwin, known for high-performance sportswear and outdoor apparel, will initially use these new fibers in sports uniforms, with plans for further launches.

Neste will supply renewable naphtha from bio-based waste, while Chiyoda will provide CCU paraxylene produced from CO2. SK geo centric will also supply renewable paraxylene. Indorama Ventures will produce PTA using these monomers, India Glycols will provide bioethylene glycol, and Toyobo will manufacture the renewable bio-CCU PET polyester.