[pageLogInLogOut]

#Yarn & Fiber

Toray develops ”Ultrasuede™ nu” using 100% plant-based polyester for headrest covers of ANA Green Jet

Toray Industries, Inc., announced it has developed a new variety of Ultrasuede™ nu which partially consists of 100% plant-based polyester (see note 1). All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd. (ANA), will adopt this developed material to the headrest covers in ANA Green Jet, the special aircraft from November this year. These aircrafts will selectively use products and services using sustainable materials to embody the ANA Future Promise (note 2), a slogan for that carrier’s commitment to realizing a sustainable society and enhancing corporate value.

Ultrasuede™ nu is a non-woven material for a genuine leather appearance with a base material of Ultrasuede™ and a special resin treatment applied to its surface. The latest Ultrasuede™ nu developed by Toray is the first Ultrasuede™ product which partially consists of 100% plant-based polyester for the ultra-fine fibers on the surface of the base material. In addition, about 30% plant-based polyurethane is used inside of the non-woven structure, and about 30% plant-based polyester is used in the reinforcement fabric called scrim, making this developed product the world’s highest level of plant-based raw material content for the non-woven material for a genuine leather appearance. ANA decided to adopt Ultrasuede™ nu because it is the environmentally conscious material that combines luxurious texture, design, and high functionality.

Toray is developing 100% plant-derived polyesters in line with efforts to make its mainline polymers biobased to help materialize a carbon-neutral, circular economy that does not depend on fossil resources.

Since the world's first commercial production of Ultrasuede™, using plant-based recycled resources as part of its raw materials in 2015, we have been focusing on the development of eco-conscious products and will continue to develop products using higher plant-based raw material. Under the Ultrasuede™ vision of “to enrich society through empowered creativity and materials evolution”, we will continue to take on the challenge of realizing Toray Group's corporate philosophy, " Contributing to society through the creation of new value with innovative ideas, technologies, and products”.



Details of “Ultrasuede™ nu” for ANA’s headrest covers

© 2022 Toray
© 2022 Toray


1. Structure

(a) Ultra-fine fibers

The ultra-fine fibers are composed of 100% plant-based polyester made of ethylene glycol from sugarcane molasses byproducts and dimethyl terephthalate from corn starch.

(b) Elastomer (Used inside of non-woven fabric structure)

The elastomer is composed of about 30% plant-based polyurethane made with polyol from castor oil plant.

(c) Scrim

The scrim is composed of about 30% plant-based polyester made from ethylene glycol from sugarcane molasses byproducts.

*The plant-based raw material content in this developed Ultrasuede™ nu is about 64%.

(Based on the results of our internal investigation)


2. Characteristics

• Delicate texture and suppleness reminiscent of premium aniline leather (note 3)

• A unique, calming luster

• Light, comfortable breathability

• Environmentally conscious non-animal (vegan)material (note 4)


Notes

1. 100% plant-based polyester in keeping with ISO 16620-1 3.1.5 biobased synthetic polymer content standard

2. See press release issued on June 3, 2022, titled, ANA to Introduce Special ANA Future Promise Aircraft to Highlight Commitment to ESG

https://www.anahd.co.jp/group/en/pr/202206/20220603.html

3. Aniline leather, which is made by bright dyeing using synthetic dyes (aniline dyeing) and finishing

with transparent resin (aniline finishing) to take advantage of the leather's original delicate grain

surface, is considered one of the most luxurious finishes for leather products.

4. The main components of Ultrasuede™ nu are polyester and polyurethane.


References


Related ANA news release

ANA Green Jet Takes to the Skies This October (October 3, 2022)

https://www.anahd.co.jp/group/en/pr/202210/20221003.html


Ultrasuede™’s sustainability

https://www.ultrasuede.us/sustainability/


Ultrasuede™ nu website

https://www.ultrasuede.us/about/design_technologies/


Ultrasuede™ website

https://www.ultrasuede.us/



More News from Toray Industries, Inc.

#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

Toray Industries and MAS Holdings announce Joint Venture in Odisha, India

Toray Industries (H.K.) Ltd., has officially entered a joint venture with South Asia’s largest apparel manufacturer MAS Holdings, marking a unique opportunity to enhance the two companies’ supply chain capabilities and pursue product manufacturing within and for the fast-growing Indian market. The joint venture, operating under the name Toray MAS Apparel India, will see the establishment of a new manufacturing facility at the MAS Apparel Park Bhuinpur in Odisha, India, which is currently under development.

More News on Yarn & Fiber

#Yarns

Yarn Expo Shenzhen 2026 closes doors, advancing sustainable and innovative sourcing in South China

Yarn Expo Shenzhen 2026 served as a strategically positioned mid-year sourcing platform for the Greater Bay Area, highlighting Shenzhen’s role in connecting regional demand, supply and innovation exchange across the textile value chain. During the three-day fair, over 20,000 visits were drawn from 74 countries and regions[1], as exhibitors and buyers engaged with new developments in greener, performance-led, and value-added yarn and fibre solutions. Held in conjunction with Intertextile Shenzhen Apparel Fabrics and PH Value, the fair underscored the benefits of closer synergy and new materials across yarn, fabric and apparel platforms for the South China market.

#Yarns

Yarns and technologies in symbiosis: Biella Yarn presents Fall/Winter 2027/2028 collection “New Romance_”

Biella Yarn, the flat knitting brand of Suedwolle Group, launches new Fall/Winter 2027/2028 collection, inspired by the symbiosis of yarns and technologies – elements that blend, adapt and evolve together, forming something new without losing their origin. The name “Neu Romance_” reflects the emotional and neurological dimension of the yarns: a connection that engages the senses, experienced through material, touch and interaction. The collection is further brought to life through design collaborations, featuring selected yarns used in different design approaches.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

The textile industry in transition

Recycling, traceability, eco-design and digitalisation are among the key future challenges facing the European textile industry. The Erasmus+ project Skills4Circularity, involving 21 partners from twelve countries, is investigating the skills required to address these challenges. As the German industry partner, the Industry Association for Finishing – Yarns – Fabrics – Technical Textiles (IVGT) is bringing the industry’s perspective to the project.

#Research & Development

GenuTrace client advisory: Is your cotton supply chain UFLPA ready?

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has released updated operational guidance (CBP Publication No. 5560-0526) expanding its forced labor enforcement framework. The guidance supersedes the original 2022 UFLPA Operational Guidance and now covers all forced labor enforcement authorities — UFLPA, CAATSA, and WROs/Findings — in a single unified document. For cotton importers, the enforcement posture has not softened. It has become more structured, more documented, and more demanding. Learn more about UFLPA.

Latest News

#Nonwovens

EDANA announces five new board members following 2026 Annual General Meeting

The EDANA Board of Governors is elected or re-elected at the Annual General Meeting by the member companies. The Governors are senior executives (business leaders) from member companies, based in different countries and representing different sectors of the nonwovens industry. The Board has central responsibility for guiding EDANA's overall strategy and approving its policies and priorities. It meets three times a year.

#Nonwoven machines

DiloGroup - Complete nonwoven needling line for hygiene materials in the United States

DiloGroup has received an order for a complete needling line designed for the production of hygiene materials in the United States. This project further strengthens our position in the American hygiene sector and reflects the continued demand for reliable, high-performance nonwoven equipment.

#Natural Fibers

Cotton made in Africa partners receive top marks in independent verifications

Cotton made in Africa® (CmiA) and CmiA Organic are two internationally recognised standards that aim to promote sustainable development in the African cotton sector south of the Sahara. To ensure the standards’ credibility among brands, retailers, and consumers, independent verifiers evaluate compliance on the ground. The verification results for 2025, now published in the Aggregated Verification & Implementation Report, were very strong: The verifiers awarded consistently very good remarks regarding management, people, prosperity, and the environment.

#Associations

Bangladesh: Italian textile machinery mission stops in Dhaka and Chittagong

Technological upgrading and the transition toward higher value-added production are driving the new Italian industrial mission to Bangladesh. This year, the mission will split between the country’s two main manufacturing hubs, where Italian manufacturers will meet the leaders of the local textile supply chain in two strategic stages: July 7th in Dhaka and July 9th in Chittagong.

TOP