TorayIndus., Inc. will launch "Ultrasuede BX", a non-woven fabric with suede texture, containing about 30% plant-based raw materials in January 2019.
The material is made from the highest proportion of plant-based raw materials in the world-polyester and polyurethane. "Ultrasuede BX" is also the world's first non-woven suede fabric made of plant-based polyurethane.
Toray intends to sell "Ultrasuede BX" as an environmentally friendly material, providing high sensitivity and functionality in a wide range of applications such as automotive interiors, fashion and interior decoration. The company plans to sell 500 million yen for the product in fiscal 2019 and 3 billion yen in fiscal 2023 five years later.
The texture of imitation suede leather, the three-dimensional entanglement structure of polyester microfibers impregnated with polyurethane, and the imitation suede surface structure is formed by solidification and polishing to produce nonwoven materials.
"Ultrasuede BX" is a polymer of polyester and ethylene glycol. The ethylene glycol is made from sugar cane molasses. The polyurethane is made from inedible castor oil.
In the early days, polyurethanes made from plant-based raw materials had technical problems, especially when they were used on non-woven fabrics with suede texture, which had low durability.
From the development of polymer materials to the design of product structures and polyurethane coagulation technology, Toray successfully launched the "Ultrasuede BX". It has the characteristics of high proportion of plant-based raw materials, comfortable feel, good durability, and good air permeability, and is easy to maintain. Ultrasuede is a high-quality product brand produced using advanced Japanese technology, and is sold worldwide.