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#Smart Textiles

Epson invests in startup AI Silk, a developer and manufacturer of high-performance conductive textiles

Seiko Epson Corporation (TSE: 6724, "Epson") and its subsidiary company Epson X Investment Corporation ("EXI") have invested in Japanese startup company AI Silk Corporation through a joint fund, the EP-GB Investment Limited Partnership. Sendai-based AI Silk, a startup that spun out of Tohoku University, develops and manufactures a high-performance conductive textile called "LEAD SKIN®".

Conductive textiles have been used as materials for automotive parts and wearable devices in applications such as biological measurement and EMS1. However, there have been a number of issues. Sensing accuracy can be affected by conductive resistance. The feel and changes in properties (rust) can affect comfort and safety. There have also been issues in terms of manufacturing cost and durability.

LEAD SKIN®, a high-performance conductive textile developed and manufactured by AI Silk, solves these issues. AI Silk has succeeded in making a variety of materials conductive, including silk, polyester, nonwoven fabrics, and suede. This was achieved by dramatically improving the manufacturing process by adopting a proprietary conductive polymer coating technology based on technology invented at Tohoku University. This technology improves sensing accuracy by reducing conductive resistance. It also improves the feel, texture, comfort, and durability of the textile while also reducing manufacturing costs.

AI Silk intends to use this third-party allotment of shares to expand volume production of LEAD SKIN®. The company plans to expand beyond Japan and to sell LEAD SILK® as a material to meet the growing global demand for automotive parts and wearable devices such as EMS products. It is also considering expanding into the medical field.




Epson aims to give people lifestyle choices and enable them to live enriched lifestyles founded on physical and mental well-being. Epson decided to invest in AI Silk because it sees LEAD SKIN® as an interface technology for converting biological data captured through daily life into new value.

Going forward, Epson will help to achieve a sustainable society by creating a variety of partnerships and synergies based on its proprietary technologies, products, and services.



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#Digital Printing

Epson launches SureColor G9000: high-production Direct-To-Film printer delivering greater productivity and reliability

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#Digital Printing

Epson future proofs textile printing with Epson Textile Academy 2.0

Technology leader Epson today hosted its second Textile Academy Event at the company’s Textile Innovation Centre in Lutterworth, Leicestershire. Building on the success of its inaugural Textile Academy earlier this year, the event welcomed Textile Design BA students from Nottingham Trent University (NTU) and Loughborough University. The event features workshops designed to enhance student’s practical textile printing skills; corporate and entrepreneurial business acumen; marketing and self-branding; and environmental awareness around the textile industry.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

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#Digital Printing

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#Smart Textiles

Covestro, FILK Freiberg, and OUT e.V. develop flexible, conductive polymer smart textile system

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#Research & Development

Catching heart disease early with AI-based sensor system

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#Research & Development

Soft interfaces: Textile-integrated light switches, made possible by printable Liquid Metal Ink

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#Smart Textiles

Intelligent textiles for construction, architecture and mobility: Smart Textiles User Forum in Stuttgart

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#Spinning

Ibrahim Fibres and Trützschler: A strong partnership enters its next phase with the TC 30Si

For more than two decades, Ibrahim Fibres and Trützschler have grown side by side, driven by a shared ambition to continuously improve spinning performance, strengthen technology leadership and set new benchmarks in the textile industry. Today, Ibrahim Fibres is a leading yarn and polyester staple fiber manufacturer in Pakistan. The company operates the largest number of Trützschler cards in the country, with more than 200 machines running across its mills in Faisalabad, and plays an important role in one of Asia’s largest textile industries.

#Digital Printing

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#Functional Fabrics

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#Research & Development

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