#Textile chemistry

2020-08-05

Teijin and Kinoshita Fishing Net develop world's first fishing net made with UHMWPE film

Teijin Limited and Kinoshita Fishing Net Mfg. Co., Ltd. jointly announced today that they have developed the world's first high-performance knotless fishing net made with an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) film. Kinoshita Fishing Net will begin selling MX-4 made with Teijin’s Endumax® UHMWPE film in early August and is targeting annual sales of 50 tons by 2025, including Endumax® fishing nets for purse seine net fishing and later for traps, fish farms and trawling.

Teijin continues to discover new industrial applications for Endumax®, such as ropes, bulletproof wear and lightweight containers for air cargo, as well as fishing nets, and expects to develop additional applications going forward.

MX-4 combines Teijin's advanced Endumax® film and Kinoshita Fishing Net’s manufacturing technology implemented with world-leading net-knitting machines for knotless netting, made by crossing threads with each other for extra strength and abrasion resistance. In addition to Muketsu knotless netting made with twisted threads, Kinoshita Fishing Net also boasts the world’s only machines for making braided knotless nets, sold under the BM brand for purse seines, traps and fish farms.

Endumax® is a 60 µm-thick film offering high strength, high modulus and resistance to impact, abrasion, chemicals and sunlight. Advanced technologies are normally required to mass produce fish nets made with film, but Kinoshita Fishing Net’s proprietary technology enables Endumax® that has been cut to just several millimeters in width to be knit into highly functional MX-4 fishing net.

MX-4 is especially suitable for purse-seine nets for skipjack, tuna, horse mackerel and mackerel, which are used in harsh environments where durability and fast drainage are crucial. MX-4 does not shrink easily and is resistant to breakage due to abrasion even after hundreds of castings, so it can be used safely for long periods.

(left) MX-4 net showing almost no deterioration after approx. 300 uses and (right) unused knotless net (c) 2020 Teijin

It also improves work efficiency and cost efficiency by reducing needs for net reconditioning and tailoring. In addition, it reduces the frequency of net disposal and is more marine friendly. Furthermore, when MX-4 is pulled up from the sea, it immediately sheds water and becomes lighter, making it easier to work. It also stays clean.

Various types of fishing nets are used commercially depending on the fishing method, fish species and marine environment. In the case of purse-seine net fishing, where nets can become heavily loaded, over time the nets can shrink considerably, lose shape, become less efficient in enclosing fish, and require frequent repair or replacement.

Teijin aims to be a company that supports the society of the future by creating new value based on the changing times, providing solutions to realize a more prosperous and sustainable world.

Kinoshita Fishing Net’s philosophy is be an essential enterprise that develops unique solutions by working directly with customers to understand their situations, requirements, goals and prospects. Going forward, the company will expand MX-4 applications for purse seine net fishing, and later for fish farms, traps and trawling, as a socially responsible enterprise that places top priority on evolving with distinction and sustainability.

Teijin announces availability of DPP-compliant products aligned with Europe’s ESPR Environmental Regulation

Teijin Limited announced today that it has started rolling out initiatives to enable aramid fibers and carbon fibers to be accompanied by Digital Product Passport (DPP) technology, which enhances supply chain transparency by verifying the origins of materials and supporting sustainability claims. The company is using the supply chain traceability system from Netherlands-based Circularise B.V., in which Teijin has invested since November 2024, to develop DPPs for each product.

Teijin Carbon showcases new eco-friendly Tenax Next™ R2S 513 6mm short carbon fiber at JEC World 2025

Teijin Carbon, a leading manufacturer of carbon fiber products, is presenting its latest development in sustainable materials at JEC World 2025 (hall 6, G22). New Tenax Next™ R2S 513 6mm is a short carbon fiber product in rice-shaped form for reinforcing thermoplastic compounds that not only offers exceptional performance characteristics but also reinforces the company’s commitment to environmental responsibility and circularity.

Teijin to invest in Circularise B.V. and adopt its supply chain traceability platform to promote the Circular Economy

Teijin Limited announced today that it will invest in Circularise B.V., a company based in The Hague, Netherlands, which develops product traceability management systems using blockchain technology. Teijin will also implement Circularise’s software to improve visibility into its global supply chain. Circularise’s proprietary “Smart Questioning”(*) solution, which utilizes Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZKP) technology, provides both anonymity and transparency to ensure a highly reliable product traceability system.

SOKO presents low-impact denim finishing innovations at Denim PV Milan

SOKO will present a range of sustainable denim finishing technologies and collaborative projects at the upcoming Denim Première Vision Milan on 20–21 May in Milan. At booth G27 in Superstudio Più, the company will showcase new chemical solutions designed to combine fashionable denim effects with reduced environmental impact.

Bremen Cotton Exchange: Fritz A. Grobien re-elected as President

The members of the Bremen Cotton Exchange have re-elected Fritz A. Grobien as President during the association’s 152nd General Assembly on June 18, 2026. The election confirms the organization’s commitment to maintaining its role as a leading international platform for the cotton and fiber industry amid a period of geopolitical and economic uncertainty.

Organic cotton at the crossroads: Ideology, evidence, and the road ahead

Organic cotton occupies one of the most contentious spaces in global agriculture. While praised by brands and consumers for its environmental ideals, it also faces persistent questions about yield stability, certification integrity, and scalability. The current edition of The ICAC Recorder cuts through the ideology to deliver a rigorous, evidence-based assessment of both sides of the debate.

New spinning package with two-step filtration for recycled yarns and more

At the ITM in Istanbul, BB Engineering unveiled its new, patented ValuePack spinning package for the first time, which features a two-stage filtration system. This is particularly beneficial for re-cycling processes. Until now, spinning packs have used either metal powder (“sand”) or filter candles as filter media. Both options are suitable for differ-ent applications, and each has its own specific advantages and dis-advantages.

ITMA 2027 gains strong momentum

In line with the theme "Co-creating the future of textiles", ITMA continues to strengthen its support for start-ups, recognising their role in driving innovation and shaping the future of textile and garment manufacturing. Through the Start-Up Valley, emerging companies gain access to a global marketplace where they can connect with industry leaders, potential partners, investors and customers.