Teijin hybrid fiber includes chemically recycled PET

Tokyo-based Teijin Frontier Co. Ltd., the Teijin Group’s fibers and products converting company, says its new Solotex ECO-Hybrid high-stretch side-by-side (S/S) conjugated fiber is made from a plant-derived polymer and a chemically recycled polyester polymer, combined to create a coiled crimp yarn.

The company classifies Solotex ECO-Hybrid as part of its polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT) family of Solotex fibers. ECO-Hybrid filament yarn and textile will be introduced as a featured product for 2020 autumn and winter apparel, “offering many possibilities for enhanced sportwear, uniforms and more,” says Teijin.

The company predicts annual sales of Solotex ECO-Hybrid could grow to 500 million Japanese yen ($4.65 million) in 2020 to 1.5 billion yen ($13.9 million) in 2022.

Among features of the new yarn is a “crimp structure [that] is equivalent to that of petroleum-derived raw materials,” says Teijin. The company says the yarn also has “optimized” dyeability and is “very stretchable.”

Eco-Hyrbid’s PTT polymer is made partly with plant-derived raw materials and partly with a PET polymer made with chemically recycled raw materials that include discarded polyester fibers.

“In recent years, demands have been growing for materials offering functionality and comfort, such as stretchability and soft textures,” states Teijin. “Also, users are seeking eco-friendly fabrics made with recycled and plant-derived materials.”

Teijin describes itself as a technology-driven global group that offers high-performance materials, plus health care products and information technology services and products. The group of companies posted sales of $8 billion in its most recent fiscal year.