Tokyo - Teijin Frontier, the Teijin Group’s fibre and products converting company, has developed a new polyester fibre, which maintains its linen-like appearance even when used in circular knitting.

The company has targeted annual sales of 250,000 metres by the fiscal year ending March 2021, and anticipates that it is the natural aesthetic of its new synthetic fibre which, with properties such as a highly fresh, natural appearance for extra-comfortable outer clothing, jackets, bottoms and blouses, will prove popular across apparel markets.

According to Teijin, there has been an increase in demand for natural-like synthetic fibers, mostly due to their combination of functionality, easy care and cost performance at a time when natural fibre prices are rising due to an increasing demand for natural materials.

In response, Teijin Frontier has developed its linen-like polyester by utilizing a special technique to capture the unique uneven feeling of linen.

For a fully natural look, the difference between the thickest and thinnest parts of the thread is about 1.5 times in diameter. The material is a slub yarn in which thin and thick parts appear alternately, with the thick parts measuring 100 mm or more in length.

In addition to offering the resilience, luster and natural appearance of linen, the fibre also boast properties that natural linen materials do not offer such as easy care and other functionalities. While natural linen is prone to wrinkling and bleaching, Teijin Frontier’s linen-like polyester is wrinkle resistant and retains its color thanks to dimensional stability. Furthermore, the new fiber does not stick to skin, is stretchable, washable, can be tailored and is pleasingly comfortable due to its fine uneven surface.