25. Aug 2020
Toray launches new, environmentally-friendly nylon
Toray Industries, Inc. has developed a new, more sustainable nylon that represents a major step forward in the company's sustainability vision.
The nylon is the latest addition to the company’s integrated Ecodear brand for biomass-based polymer materials and products. Toray’s new Ecodear nylon is 60% bio-based, based on sebacic acid derived from castor beans. The resulting fibre, initially available in 10, 20 and 50 denier versions, can be spun using the same process as conventional nylon.
In setting up the integrated brand, Toray aimed to advance Toray's ambition to provide solutions to environmental issues by expanding its business of biomass-based polymer materials and products using the ecodear brand in wide-ranging fields of fiber, resin and film.
The development of Ecodear nylon demonstrates the benefits of Toray's vertically integrated structure. As a chemical manufacturer and a textile company, Toray can maintain control over the product quality, from the creation of polymers to the production of finished yarns.
Ecodear nylon can be used to make bio-based versions of proven Toray brand technologies like Dermizax and Entrant.
Toray's development and launch of new bio-based textile technologies such as Ecodear nylon, and its continued progress with recycled materials allow the company to reduce the amount of petroleum used in the fabric production supply chain, as well as carbon dioxide emissions - both of which are vital goals detailed in the company's Sustainability Vision.
Toray plans to market the textile in fall 2020, targeting the active outdoor sports and skiing markets, as well as athleisure.