Japan: Teijin Fibers Increases “Morphotex” Capacity

Teijin Fibers Limited increased its production capacity for “Morphotex”, a nanotechnology-based structurally-colored fiber, to 9 tons per month in April with investments of several hundred million yen.

“Morphotex” can express different colors in accordance with the angle and strength of light. Research began in 1995 together with Nissan Motors and Tanaka Kinzoku Kogyo, and actual sales started in 2003. It is said to be the world’s first fiber with a color development system based on a unique structure.

Teijin Fibers offers 120-tex/12-filament yarn for apparel applications, and 80-tex/20-filaments for paints, whose colors range from red, green, purple to blue. Most of the products are used for apparel including denim and women’s wear. Powder will be supplied for paints for electricity-, auto- and printing-related products.

Artificial leather is another hopeful field for “Morphotex”, according to a Teijin official.

Copyright Osaka Senken Ltd. Jul 2004