Teijin, a Japanese technology driven global group announced that it has developed a new range of nylon-based functional materials and related textiles by adapting the company’s well established polyester production technologies for nylon material are ideal for sports, outdoor and casual wear garments.

The newly developed products offer the high functionality of polyester products such as lightweight, moisture management, anti-transparency, and softness — while retaining the characteristics of nylon fiber produced by Taiwanese nylon manufacturer Chain Yarn Corporation .

The ‘Deltapeak’ and ‘Waveron’ lines are claimed to provide the high performance characteristics of nylon, whilst also maintaining the traditional properties found in polyester garments.

Nylon fabrics traditionally have higher moisture absorption capabilities than polyester, with better wicking ability but slower drying rates. Polyamide fibres also have high abrasion resistance, flexibility and elasticity. They are, however, relatively more expensive than polyester and hence their use tends to be restricted to the likes of swimwear, cycling wear or as a reinforcing fibre in sportswear garment blends.

Polyamide fibres also have very low air permeability making them a suitable light-weight material for windbreaker jackets and for the outer shell of ski garments.

The company said that the new Deltapeak knitted nylon fabrics are ideal for outdoor, sports and casual wear.

Its advantages include lightweight, softness, anti-transparency, stretchability, snag resistance and useful bulkiness thanks to its dense, flat-knit surface. It also offers high durability and colouring properties.

The new Waveron nylon fibre features a unique cross-sectional shape consisting of four flat peaks, which enhance anti-transparency, moisture management and quick-drying. In addition, the nylon’s original characteristics offer softness, hygroscopic effectiveness, wear resistance and a cool feel to the touch. The fibre is suitable for use in yoga wear and compression garments when mixed with urethane fibre, as well as inner wear and surface fabrics for wadding, Teijin added.

Both sets of fabrics are expected to be released to the market in sportswear and outdoor applications for Teijin’s spring/summer 2017 collections, with annual sales of both products expected to exceed 10 million metres by March 2019.

Going forward, Teijin Frontier will continue to develop advanced athleisure materials, leveraging its long experience with highly functional polyester products, to meet increasingly diverse consumer demands.