Toray Corporation of Japan announced the development of a new commercial fiber called "& +". The successful development of this fiber will open up a new world for Toray in the field of commercial fiber production from waste PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic bottles.
Toray's goal is to use the brand to promote the recycling of PET waste plastic bottles, and at the same time to achieve closed-loop economic development in this area through the production of high value-added fibers. Toray plans to position & + as an iconic product with growing demand for PET plastic bottle recycling, and will promote it to global markets through distributors. At the same time, expanding the application fields of this high value-added fiber is also an important goal for Toray.
During the development of the brand, Toray developed a series of innovative technologies including traceability technology to produce this high value-added, plastic bottle-derived white fiber. Its applications mainly include the fields of fashion, sportswear, homewear, workwear and consumer goods where the use of fiber derived from waste plastic bottles was strictly prohibited due to pollution problems. Another problem related to plastic bottles is the yellowing phenomenon that occurs with the aging of plastics. To this end, Toray has developed a pollution filtration technology and advanced cleaning technology in cooperation with Japan's Kyoei Industrial Company to remove impurities and yellow hue in raw materials.
Toray also created a proprietary recycling identification system to detect additives in raw materials to ensure the reliability of raw materials derived from plastic bottles.
Toray plans to establish a PET plastic bottle-derived fiber production system through its global production plants and expand its application in the fiber, fabric and apparel supply chain. Toray will also establish a new supply structure to respond to customer needs in pursuit of the sustainable development goals. As part of its green innovation business expansion plan, Toray is continuously establishing and consolidating its industry position in energy saving, biomass, recycling and related fields, and providing durable environmental, resource and energy solutions.