#Raw Materials

2024-11-14

Teijin Frontier announces global availability of biodegradable BIOFRONT® PLA resin

Teijin Frontier Co., Ltd., today announced the global availability of its BIOFRONT® polylactic acid (PLA) resin, which biodegrades faster in oceans, rivers and soil compared to conventional PLA products. Incorporation of a novel biodegradation accelerator in the polymer can enhance its decomposition rate without significantly compromising strength, crystallinity or moldability. This resin, named to signify cutting-edge biotechnology, is now fully commercialized in Japan and internationally.

BIOFRONT® resin pellets © 2024 Teijin Frontier

BIOFRONT® resin aligns with Teijin Frontier’s THINK ECOR environmental strategy and joins the company’s wide range of sustainable materials and products. Teijin Frontier plans to continue developing biodegradable materials to help reduce the environmental impact of plastics.

Features and benefits of BIOFRONT® resin

The resin’s biodegradation accelerator promotes hydrolysis and speeds up material consumption and decomposition by bacteria and fungi compared to PLA polymers without additives. BIOFRONT® resin exhibits rapid biodegradation performance even in marine, riverine and soil environments, where there are fewer bacteria and fungi than in high- temperature, high-humidity composting systems. Further, the decomposition period can be controlled by adjusting the loading and incorporation parameters of the accelerator. Accordingly, the decomposition period can be adjusted to the required lifetime.

Another advantage of BIOFRONT® resin is its ability to be processed like conventional PLA polymer resins used in films and injection-molded and extruded products. It can also be used for fibers in textiles and non-woven fabrics.

From the standpoint of sustainability, BIOFRONT® PLA resin is expected to help reduce microplastics, thanks to its accelerated biodegradation rate, and to reduce CO2 emissions during the product lifecycle since it is made from plant-derived raw materials.

Teijin and Asahi Kasei to merge textile subsidiaries into joint venture

Teijin Limited and Asahi Kasei Corporation have signed a definitive agreement to integrate their textile subsidiaries Teijin Frontier Co., Ltd. and Asahi Kasei Advance Corporation. The announcement was approved by Teijin’s Board of Directors on 1 December 2025 and marks a significant consolidation move within Japan’s advanced materials and textile sector.

Teijin Frontier develops a next-generation stretch fabric

Teijin Frontier Co., Ltd., announced today that it has developed a next-generation stretch fabric made of an extra-fine three-dimensional structure with randomly sized crimps. The newly developed fabric combines exceptional elasticity with a soft, airy texture and a natural uneven surface that helps make the fabric lightweight while providing quick drying and moisture wicking performance.

New high-performance polyester fabric with a natural fiber-like texture and appearance

Teijin Frontier Co., Ltd., announced that it has developed a new high-performance polyester fabric, which combines the elegant appearance and texture of natural fibers made of yarns of random thickness with advanced functionalities such as cool touch, anti-stickiness, quick dry, opacity and ultraviolet (UV) protection.

Nantong Teijin’s efforts to reduce water usage certified as model activities for supporting the environment in the Yangtze River Delta Region

Teijin Frontier Co., Ltd., announced today that its group company, Nantong Teijin Co., Ltd., has been recognized by China’s Jiangsu Provincial Department of Ecology and Environment for reducing water usage by approximately 300,000 tons/year. Nantong Teijin, which manufactures polyester long-fiber woven and knitted fabrics in Jiangsu Province, independently developed equipment and systems for analyzing, recovering, storing and reusing wastewater from its water-intensive dyeing process.

Beyond the wardrobe – innovative cotton takes the spotlight

Cotton can do more – a lot more. Cutting-edge textiles and high-tech products made from 100% cotton prove just how powerfully performance and sustainability can come together. That very surge of innovation is front and centre at the 38th Bremen Cotton Conference, taking place March 25–27, 2026, at Bremen’s Parliament on the historic market square – culminating in a bold and dedicated closing session on Friday. In the spotlight: performance upgrades for pure cotton, smart strategies for circular textile waste solutions, and pioneering concepts for demanding technical applications. From natural fibre–reinforced composites to highly effective flame-retardant solutions, cotton steps out of the closet and shows the future potential woven into every fibre.

Esquel Group adds two new extra-long staple cotton varieties approved

Esquel Group’s Xinjiang Research & Development Center has successfully developed two new Sea Island cotton (Extra-Long-Staple cotton, ELS cotton) varieties named “Yuan Loong 37” and “Yuan Loong 42,” which have been officially approved and granted registration numbers. Both varieties have also obtained Plant Variety Rights certificates, marking another significant breakthrough for the Group in cotton breeding and commercial application.

Aid by Trade Foundation reaches new milestones in supply chain transparency

The Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) is reaching new milestones as it leads the way towards greater physical traceability for Cotton made in Africa® (CmiA) cotton. With around 700 suppliers and producers in a total of 25 countries, the Aid by Trade Foundation has reached a new record number of partners who can trace CmiA cotton from the product back to its origin. This is more than double the previous year’s figure.

Barmag presents the next generation of POY production – energy-efficient and partial-automated

With POY 2.0, Barmag is introducing a completely redesigned spinning concept that takes the production of partially oriented yarn (POY) to a new level in terms of technology and economy. The solution, which was presented to a selected audience of experts for the first time at ITMA Asia + CITME 2025, was met with great enthusiasm: several yarn producers worldwide immediately expressed their interest in a pilot plant.

Textile‑to‑textile recycling leader Circulose joins Spinnova’s ecosystem to accelerate technology scale‑up

Textile‑to‑textile recycling leader Circulose joins Spinnova’s ecosystem (consortium) to help advance the scale‑up of Spinnova’s technology. Spinnova has actively sought partners to accelerate commercial scale‑up, and Circulose, as a key player in textile recycling, strengthens the ecosystem by providing a raw material that is in high demand across the industry.