For waterproof/breathable materials used for outdoor or sports jackets and rain wear, water-repellent, waterproof properties and wind break performance is required on the outer surface as well as is moisture permeability on the inner surface to realize quick outward diffusion of sweat and moisture. For this reason, coating or lamination of fluorocarbon resins or polyurethane and others have been typically introduced with fiber materials such as nylon. However, it was not easy to recycle these waterproof/breathable as being fabricated by different materials. The trend in this field, where differentiation via function has become difficult, is toward high value-added materials capable of differentiation.

Responding to rising needs for eco-friendly products and recyclable materials, in 2007, Teijin Fibers Limited developed 100% polyester ECO STORM, a highly functional waterproof/breathable material made from recycled fibers via chemical recycling. The sales of this product is growing smoothly, mainly for outdoor and apparel products by domestic and overseas companies.

ECO STORM is manufactured by laminating thin-type polyester film with excellent hydrostatic resistance , moisture-permeability and durability on high-density fabrics made from chemical recycled fiber ECOPETPLUS. ECO STORM is lightweight, thin, soft, and highly durable as well as having high waterproof and water-repellent properties, moisture permeability and wind break performance, all required for waterproof/breathable materials. Furthermore, hazardous gasses formed by its combustion can be kept to the mimimum due to the non-use of organic solvent in the laminate polyester film production. This material can be recycled to produce new fibers through ECO CIRCLE, a recycling system that Teijin Fibers Limited is implementing. This system drastically reduces oil use, garbage output, energy consumption and CO₂ emission.

ECO-X

ECO STORM has been adopted by foreign companies: Patagonia in the United States for hard shells (high-performance waterproof/breathable jackets) and for ECO-X, first-in-the-world recyclable ski gloves (the product in the photograph is to be introduced in U.S.A., Canada and Europe in September, 2009), developed jointly with Swany America of the United States. Used products to be discarded will be recycled as new polyester products through ECO CIRCLE system by their group companies.

Concerns about the environment and the recycling are expected to draw increasing attention in the future. Teijin Fibers Limited will work to expand the use of ECO STORM for ECO CIRCLE member companies, including domestic and overseas outdoor and apparel product companies as well as domestic uniform manufacturers and to grow its product lineup related to recycling.

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