| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
TOKYO, JAPAN, July 24, 2008--- Teijin Fibers Limited announced today they will begin the commercial production of a high-strength polyester fiber called NanofrontTM, developed in-house using original nano-technology. Nanofront is an ultra-fine fiber that is resistant to slippage, yet delicate and comfortable, while ensuring high absorbency and opaqueness. It is expected to be used for a wide range of applications, ranging from clothing to industrial materials. The commercial production of Nanofront is aimed to ensure a more stable supply of the product, enabling its use in a wide array of applications for future products. Background and purpose The production of fine but strong fibers has always been the goal of synthetic fiber manufacturers throughout history. Many technologies were developed and during the 1990s, a micro-gauge fiber called "micro-fiber" was produced. Today, increased expectations for nano-sized materials have spurred many firms to actively develop new types of nano-fibers. Minimizing the gauge of a fiber will enable new types of functionality in keeping with the "nano-size effect." Characteristics such as absorbency, separation, dispersal functioning and large surface area are common to nano-gauge materials. However, when mass-production is attempted, nano-fibers tend to lose strength or have irregular fiber length. The successful commercialization of such long-fiber filaments has been elusive. Teijin has developed the innovative "Sea/Island Cross-sectional Conjugate Fiber Forming Technology," successfully creating a commercially producible high-strength long polyester fiber called Nanofront. The technology involves the use of two distinct types of two polymers, one represented by the "sea" components and the other by the "island" components. A special type of alkaline processing is employed to melt the "sea" component away, leaving only the "island" portion, which remains as the fiber. Technology Outline In a process of "sea/island conjugate fiber forming," commonly used microfiber only forms a few dozen island components in a single fiber. But Nanofront, on the other hand, forms some forms 1,000 island components in a single fiber by adopting the innovative "New Sea/Island Separatable Fiber Technology" based on a cap channel design technology and polymer technology that can create many island components in a sea/island cross section. Moreover, through the use of a high-performance polymer, it is easy to add various functions to Nanofront to enable the development of new product variations. Product Features
Possible Applications
Roll-out Plan
For further information, please contact: Public Relations & Investor Relations Office Teijin Limited Tel: +81-3-3506-4055 / Fax: +81-3-3506-4150 E-mail: pr@teijin.co.jp About Teijin Limited Teijin is a global technology-driven group operating in five main fields: synthetic fibers; films and plastics; pharmaceuticals and home health care; trading and retail; and IT and new products. Teijin Limited is listed on the Tokyo and Osaka stock exchanges and has a market capitalization of USD 4.1 billion. The company had consolidated sales of USD 10.3 billion in fiscal 2007, and employs approximately 19,000 people worldwide. Note: USD amounts (JPY 100.19 to USD $1) provided for reader's convenience only. |
Information in the press releases is current on the date of the announcement.
It is subject to change without prior notice.
