Toray Develops New Nylon Fabric

Mar. 12, 2003

Toray Develops New Nylon Fabric

Toray Industries, Inc. has developed a unique nylon fabric "MIRAMATTE" that realizes a new feel of materials. In addition to the softness and feel of nylon, the product features a high-quality plumage-like touch ("Fine Feather Feeling"), with a refreshingly comfortable dry feel, and optimum drape. At the same time, MIRAMATTE has excellent anti-ultraviolet and anti-transparent properties, and gives full play to its characteristics even if thin textile is used. The product is thus ideally suited to production of lightweight clothing.

The company will begin marketing MIRAMATTE as apparel material designed for spring and summer seasons 2003 in both the domestic and offshore markets, while also targeting apparel products used for sports and casual wear in autumn and winter seasons 2003.

The company anticipates initial-year sales of approximately 1 million meters (about 500 million yen) and third-year sales of approximately 5 million meters (about 2.5 billion yen). Toray will first supply the product on a textile basis and expand it in the future to knitting, including the swim wear and yarn businesses.

Regarding the nylon fiber to be used in MIRAMATTE, Toray has increased the inorganic particles, which are effective for anti-ultraviolet and anti-transparent properties in the nylon polymer, by approximately three times (equaling the world's highest density), which is as much as the maximum density achieved with existing mass production. In addition, the particles are distributed uniformly not only in the fiber but also on its surface. In this way, Toray has succeeded in realizing an unprecedented plumage-like touch by processing inorganic particles on the textile surface to form microscopic unevenness.

In addition, MIRAMATTE displays an ultraviolet covering ratio of more than 90% even if micro fibers are used. Owing to its high anti-transparent property, it is suitable for the manufacture of thin and lightweight textile products. It can be perfectly designed to develop cross section-variations and fine denier because of the uniform distribution of the inorganic particles at the stage of polymerization.

In view of the consistent popularity of nylon materials for sports and casual wear in the fashion industry, Toray as the top producer of nylon fiber in Japan has been carrying out research and development on new nylon materials. The company plans to continue developing new nylon products to assure customer satisfaction in the future.

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Details of "MIRAMATTE"

<Features>
1) High-quality plumage-like touch
2) Comfortable dry feel
3) Optimum drape
4) Refreshing feel
5) Soft and mat color tones with luxury feel
6) Anti-ultraviolet property (UV covering ratio: more than 90%)
7) Remarkable anti-transparent property
8) Thin and lightweight clothing

<Technical Outline>
MIRAMATTE is a nylon fiber obtained by increasing the inorganic particles in the nylon polymer by approximately three times (the world's highest density), which is as much as the maximum density achieved with existing mass production, and distributing them uniformly not only in the fiber but also on its surface.

This technique is based on the company's fiber and textile technology called "Uniform Addition and Separation Fiber Making Technology for High Density of Minute Particles." Toray at the same time makes use of other methods including its polymer and other proprietary technologies.

MIRAMATTE can be perfectly designed to develop cross-section variations and fine denier because of the uniform distribution of the inorganic particles in the nylon fiber at the stage of polymerization.

<Patent Applications>
Toray has applied for ten patents related to MIRAMATTE

<Marketing Plans>
Business launch: Feb., 2003

Sales:	First year: About 1 million meters
	(approx. 500 million yen)
	Third year: About 5 million meters
	(approx. 2.5 billion yen)

Principal uses: sports, casual and swimming wea


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