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#Yarn & Fiber

Toray debuts a PET-recycled version of its Primeflex stretch fabric series

Toray Industries, Inc., today announced a new iteration of its highly successful Primeflex™ series of flexible stretch fabric - Primeflex PET-recycled type. Available in spring/summer 2021, the new, Primeflex PET-recycled type is made with 50% recycled and 18% bio-based yarn, meeting the sportswear consumer's demand for sustainability without compromising stretch.

Entering its 20th year, the Primeflex series is not slowing down

Primeflex PET-recycled type incorporates recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) that would normally otherwise be discarded as waste, retaining the signature bi-component yarn structure that delivers the trademark stretch and kickback of Primeflex.

The fabric itself is a composite of PTT (polytrimethylene terephithalate) derived partially from plant-based materials, and recycled PET waste. The bicomponent structure of the yarn provides stretch owing to the differing properties of its component materials. Toray developed new production technologies by combining its polymer quality control and spinning technologies, attaining a stretch that is comparable with that of virgin PET.

(c) 2020 Toray
(c) 2020 Toray


Toray is developing an array of woven and knitted textiles featuring the PET-recycled Primeflex aimed at markets from sportswear to casual apparel. Toray targets initial year sales of 500,000 meters of this fabric, rising to 3 million square meters by fiscal 2022.

The latest advances in sustainable production is another step in Toray's pursuit of materials development and diverse applications for its new Primeflex in the domestic and international markets.

*Note: LYCRA® T400® is a registered trademark of The LYCRA Company.

*For more information about Primeflex:

https://www.sportstextiles.toray/en/primeflex/index.html



FEATURES

1) Stretches with the body

2) Sleek and smooth to the touch

3) Soft and flexible

4) Incorporating recycled PET


TECHNICAL HIGHLIGHTS

1) Recycled PET polymer quality control technology delivering stretch and kickback equivalent to that of regular Primeflex

2) Fabric design and processing technologies resulting in textile grade equivalent to that of regular Primeflex


ROLLOUT

From spring/summer 2021 season


APPLICATIONS

Sportswear, casual apparel, and men’s and women’s clothing


ANNUAL SALES TARGETS

500,000 meters in fiscal 2020 launch year

3 million meters by fiscal 2022



More News from Toray Engineering Co. Ltd.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

Toray develops recycling technology that retains carbon fiber strength and surface quality

Toray Industries, Inc., announced today that it has developed a recycling technology that can decompose diverse carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) made from thermosetting resins while retaining the strength and surface quality of those fibers. The company drew on this technology to create a nonwoven fabric employing recycled carbon fibers.

#Composites

HEAD launches more sustainable(1) BOOM RAW racquet on Earth Day by using Toray’s bio-circular carbon fibers

HEAD continues to innovate with the launch of the BOOM RAW tennis racquet, an encouraging development in the search for a more sustainable future for racquet sports. All of the carbon fibers are bio-circular carbon fibers in the limited-edition and highly innovative BOOM RAW racquet, which offers the same explosive power - along with the same fun, feel and easy playability - as the regular, in-line BOOM racquet. The bio-circular carbon fibers are manufactured by Toray and its subsidiary Toray Carbon Fibers Europe.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

Companies in Japan initiate demonstration to expand the automotive recycling process

DENSO CORPORATION and other partners have been chosen by an industry-government-academia collaborative project aiming to expand the recycle content for automobile in the fiscal year 2023 supported by Ministry of the Environment, Japan.

#Yarn & Fiber

Toray develops durable reverse osmosis membrane

Toray Industries, Inc., announced today that it has developed a highly durable reverse osmosis (RO) membrane (see glossary note 1). This innovative offering guarantees the long-term provision of high-quality water. It also maintains the superior removal performance of Toray’s existing membranes vital for reusing industrial wastewater and treating sewage.

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#Yarns

Durak Tekstil to showcase its innovations for mattress industry at ISPA EXPO 2026

Durak Tekstil threads that meet the standards required for high-quality, long-lasting and comfortable products demanded by the mattress industry, while also offering new possibilities, will be exhibited at ISPA EXPO 2026. The fact that the fair is being held in the U.S.—one of Durak Tekstil’s key target markets—also carries great significance.

#Yarns

B.I.G. Yarns achieves EcoVadis Platinum Rating, ranking among top 1% of companies worldwide

B.I.G. Yarns, the carpet yarn brand of B.I.G. and a leading manufacturer of polyamide (PA), polypropylene (PP) and polyester (PET) yarns for contract, automotive, and high-end residential applications, has been awarded the EcoVadis Platinum Medal, placing the company among the top 1% of more than 130.000 companies assessed globally.

#Heimtextil 2026

Eastman Naia™ expands All-Night Comfort at Heimtextil 2026

New fill solutions and the debut of sleepwear highlight the versatility and performance of Naia™ Renew, its circular fiber, for home textile applications.

#Heimtextil 2026

Stability in volatile markets: Heimtextil 2026 launches with 3,000 exhibitors and design expertise from Patricia Urquiola

Heimtextil opens the new season with 3,000 exhibitors from 66 countries – maintaining stability while becoming even more international. The new hall layout increases visibility and connects supply and demand even more efficiently. At the opening, architect and designer Patricia Urquiola and Rosa Bertoli, Global Design Director of Wallpaper magazine, talk about AI, innovative materials and future-oriented design for modern living environments.

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#Functional Fabrics

“Action helps us change what we do!”

DAY 0 takes place deliberately before PERFORMANCE DAYS begins. It is conceived as a space for reflection, dialogue and active engagement — a moment to pause before the fair, rethink established systems and address sustainability not as a trend, but as a fundamental transformation challenge. Under the guiding metaphor “Turn the Tap Off”, DAY 0 focuses on root causes rather than symptoms, systemic change rather than isolated solutions, and collective responsibility rather than individual silos.

#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

Pets in fashion: functional and sustainable textiles find new market at Intertextile Apparel

China’s pet economy is booming, especially amongst younger generations, and pet apparel – from designer outfits to functional garments – was a RMB 3.5 billion (over USD 500 million) market in 2024, growing more than 20% annually¹. To help exhibitors harness this trend, Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Spring Edition 2026 will launch the Pet Boutique, presenting a range of innovative, sustainable materials that prioritise both functionality and comfort for pets.

#Sustainability

VAUDE eliminates PFAS from all products

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are now detectable worldwide – in drinking water, soil and the human body. These so-called “forever chemicals” are considered hazardous to health and potentially carcinogenic, as they do not break down and remain in the environment permanently. Despite these risks, PFAS are still used in a wide range of products. More than 15 years ago, VAUDE made a strategic decision to gradually eliminate PFAS from all product categories.

#Man-Made Fibers

Lenzing AG to become majority owner of TreeToTextile AB and accelerates industrialization of new fibers

The Lenzing Group is taking another strategic milestone by acquiring a controlling majority in the Swedish innovation company TreeToTextile AB. This step strengthens Lenzing’s position as a leading provider of sustainable, wood‑based specialty fibers and expands its innovation pipeline with a highly scalable, patent‑protected technology platform. The transaction is executed through the issuance of new shares.

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