Toray moves to produce plant-based polyester yarn

Toray, Osaka-based, an integrated chemical industry group developing its business in 25 countries and regions world wide, as part of its sustainable textiles drive this year it will move away from making 100 percent petroleum-derived polyester fibre and instead produce polyester made from ‘plant-based’ bio-polymer chip.

Toray has developed a lab-scale 100 percent bio-based polyester yarn, which will eventually be marketed under its ‘Ecodear’ brand when it completes commercialisation.

Kojo Sasaki from the Green Innovation Team at Toray, said that at Toray, they always set the bar a bit higher than others expect, realising what others thought was impossible. Their vision is to achieve polyester production without using crude oil resources, as Mother Earth’s gifts need to be protected.

The new polyester yarn uses a bio-polymer, which is derived from waste molasses, a bi-product of the sugar industry, as opposed to fossil-fuel resources.

Previously, bio-based polymers for making PET yarns have also contained a percentage (around 60 per cent) of oil-derived chemicals. This is the first time that a 100 per cent bio-based polymer has been used by Toray to make a polyester yarn – albeit at lab-scale.

The new development is based on technology that sources raw materials from sugar production facilities in India and Brazil.

Recent Posts

Nextevo showcases chemical-free pineapple leaf fiber

Nextevo has introduced its 100% chemical-free pineapple leaf fiber to the global market, highlighting its sustainable qualities and versatile applications.

8 hours ago

Benin emerges as a sustainable textile production hub

Benin is positioning itself as a new center for sustainable textile production, backed by the Aid by Trade Foundation’s (AbTF)…

8 hours ago

Teijin Frontier introduces Octair insulation fiber

Teijin Frontier has announced Octair, an advanced polyester insulation fiber designed for bedding and apparel, making it ideal alternative to…

8 hours ago

Gebrüder Otto, ITA Augsburg develop towels with 50% recycled fiber

Gebrüder Otto has partnered with the Recycling Atelier at ITA Augsburg to create cotton towels using yarns made from 50%…

1 day ago

Scientists develop silk threads, turning clothing into power sources

Scientists have found a way to turn textiles into energy sources by creating a unique silk thread coated with a…

1 day ago

The LYCRA Company launches LYCRA TOP COMFORT fiber

The LYCRA Company has introduced its newest advancement for pantyhose waistbands, called LYCRA® TOP COMFORT fiber.

1 day ago