Huge potential for varied applications
Teijin Frontier Co. Ltd. of the Teijin Group of Japan has come up with a high performance stretch fibre called Solotex OO that features the superior elasticity of polyurethane with the soft texture and shape stability of PTT fibre. By combining Teijin Frontier’s Solotex PTT fibre and Asahi Kasei’s ROICA polyurethane fibre, Solotex OO achieves excellent elasticity in a soft, light weight and shape-stable fibre perfect for bottom wear applications. Clothes made of this fibre enable users to move comfortably and to easily slip in and out of even tight fitting outfits.
Optional capabilities like high-level thermal insulation, UV shielding, absorbency, quick drying and non-translucency can easily be added to this fibre, thereby widening its scope of applications and suitable markets.
Teijin Frontier which has been developing various materials to meet the growing demand for high-performance stretch fibres and aims to strengthen the business in the clothing market by improving sales of Solotex OO.
Teijin is a technology-driven global group established in 1918 as the first manufacturer of rayon yarn in Japan. Later it turned into a synthetic fibre manufacturer. The group offers advanced solutions in the areas of sustainable transportation, information and electronics, safety and protection, environment and energy, and healthcare. Its main fields of operation are high-performance fibres such as aramid, carbon fibre and composites, healthcare, films, resin and plastic processing, polyester fibre, products converting and IT.
The Teijin Group has about 150 companies and around 17,000 employees spread out over 20 countries worldwide. The company forecasts itsconsoli- dated net sales of Yen 830.0 billion, operating income of Yen 25.0 billion and ordinary income of Yen 23.0 billion, representing increases of 11 per cent, 102 per cent and 135 per cent, respectively. Also the company forecasts a net income of Yen 8.0 billion, compared to a net loss of Yen 29.1 billion in fiscal 2012.
The company announced CHANGE for 2016 as its long-term vision which calls for a sustainable growth, building value that benefits the society and attains global excellence by transforming four fundamental portfolios of business, geographic, technology and human resources. “CHANGE for 2016 also sets ambitious targets for consolidated net sales and operating income for the fiscal year 2016 Yen 1.3 trillion and Yen 100 billion respectively, and for 2020 of Yen 2.0 trillion and Yen 200 billion”, says Mr. Shigeo Ohyagi, Teijin President and CEO.
To reach its target, the company has identified three core technological areas such as high performance fibres, composite materials, and advanced electronics and medical materials for detailed research.
Mr. Shigeo Ohyagi adds: “Our aramid fibers business continues to see solid growth. The elimination of bottlenecks is facilitating continuous increases in production capacity. With sales expected to strengthen, particularly for automotive applications, ballistic protection products and fiber optic cables, we are currently considering expanding our production facilities in emerging economies and Asia”.
Teijin’s aramid fibre business has been making positive growth. There is growing demand for Twaron and Technorapara-aramid fibres for several applications. The company has been stepping up its efforts to adapt its products for use in aircraft and pressure vessels for natural gas related applications and commercialization of thermoplastic CFRP for automotive applications.
With demand for para-aramid fibres expanding for use in automotive-related materials, reinforcement materials for fibre optic cables and protective clothing, and with a growth of seven-nine per cent in the global market, the company plans to expand capacity for its principal aramid fibre products and high-performance polyethylene products.
Owing to technological barriers to the new market entrants, the global market for para-aramid fibers is now dominated by Teijin and E.I. DuPont. Global demand, which has risen steadily after bottoming out in the late 2010s, has recovered to pre-recession levels and is expected to rise by seven per cent and nine per cent soon. This projection reflects the growing need for materials that contribute to greater safety and security, reduce the weight of finished products and help lower energy consumption.
Carbon fibers
The world’s top three manufacturers of carbon fibers – Teijin, Toray Industries Inc., and Mitsubishi Rayon Co. Ltd. – currently account for more than 50 per cent of global production capacity. Demand for carbon fibers has climbed since bottoming out between April and June 2009 and the supply-demand balance has improved, although competition is intensifying for use in sports and leisure equipment, which accounts for approximately 30 per cent of all applications for carbon fibers.
Over the long term, global demand for carbon fibers is expected to expand by more than 15 per cent annually, as tighter environmental regulations and the growing preference for energy-efficient, ecologically sound options drive interest in carbon fibers for aircraft, automotive and general industrial applications.
Mr. Jun Suzuki , General Manager, Advanced Fibers and Composites, Business Group, observes: “In aramid ?bers, demand for mainstay Twaronpara-aramid ?bers for use in ballistic protection products and protective clothing were lethargic throughout the period, while demand for automotive applications in Europe and North America entered an adjustment phase in the second half. Demand for Technorapara-aramid ?bers for automotive applications also faltered in overseas markets.In carbon ? bers, demand is expected to remain ? rm for use in aircraft and pressure vessels.”
The newly-added polyester fibre for apparel business encompasses textile production bases in Japan, China and Thailand which specialize in high-performance, high-quality polyester textiles. This segment also includes polyester raw materials and polymerization businesses. In the area of product development, ultrafine polyester nanofiberNanofront, which delivers superb slip resistance and fit, was adopted for use in a line of golf gloves designed for professional golfers. On another front, to strengthen the company’s presence in China, it launched the country’s first closed-loop system for recycling polyester uniforms in 2012. In March that year Teijin signed an agreement with the China Chemical Fibres Association (CCFA) to establish a comprehensive alliance that will enhance growth opportunities for both parties through close collaboration and participation in joint development projects.
Additionally, in April 2012 the company announced plans for the establishment of Teijin Product Development China Co. Ltd., a fibre and textile product R&D base, a move aimed at helping foster the local chemical fibre industry.