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Dec. 15, 2004

News

"Angel Skin Touch"
Developed and on the Market

Kuraray Co., Ltd. and Kuraray Trading Co., Ltd. have developed OLFE,a new type of raised fabric that uses SOPHISTA MC, a microfiber combining polyester and Kuraray's innovative polymer EVOH resin.
The two firms are vigorously marketing the material for use in ladies' and gentlemen's clothing, as well as bags, shoes, upholstery, and curtains for 2005 fall and winter season.

The Kuraray Group designated its microfiber series as an important strategic material for in the 2002 fall and winter seasons, and has been pressing forward with the development and marketing of textiles. The first product to emerge from this effort was WRAMP, a high-density textile made from a blend of polyester and nylon fibers. WRAMP was followed by ELMOZA, a nuback textile woven from islands-in-a-sea type conjugated filament made from polyester and the water-soluble resin EXCEVAL. These products have been well received in the market. The third product is the subject of this article, OLFE. It is expected that the success of these products will result in widespread use of microfiber textiles.

OLFE OLFE

The microfiber materials presently on the market are:

  • (1) Thin, peach skin materials such as WRAMP, which have a slippery feel due to their nylon content.
  • (2) High-end, suede-texture products made from islands-in-a-sea type fibers such as ELMOZA.
  • (3) Pile fabrics made with directly drawing, high-count threads.

OLFE is significantly different from these microfiber materials. The use of ethylene vinyl alcohol polymer resin gives it a velvety feel, as opposed to the fuzzy feel of earlier products. In addition, the use of high-dimension processing technology results in a compact product with a tightly woven feel. It is a synthetic textile, but its softness, lightness and warmth to the touch inspired us to coin the phrase, "angel skin touch" to describe it.

The Kuraray Group will continue to press forward with the development of highly original and distinctive products such as OLFE, employing the proprietary vinyl acetate polymer technology it has amassed over long years of experience in the field. These products will be crucial in the Group's efforts to expand its presence and business in world markets.

1.Material

A pile fabric made using a blend of separable microfiber SOPHISTA and SOPHISTA MC; pile products made from this textile.

* SOPHISTA MC raw fiber specifications:
84dtx/24f, 110dtx/24f
Polyester 65%, SOPHISTA 35%.

2.Characteristics

  • Soft, "angel skin touch" unlike earlier pile fabrics
  • Luxurious, velvety feel
  • Lightweight, yet bulky and warm

3.Applications

Clothing
Ladies' jackets, skirts, and other heavy clothing
Gentlemen's jackets, trousers, and other apparel
Accessories and furnishings
Bags, shoes, upholstery, curtains, wiping cloths

4.Prices

¥1,800 – 2,200/meter (exclusive of consumption tax)

5.Sales targets

Fiscal 2005 500,000 meters
Domestic ladies' and gentlemen's clothing 300,000 meters
Overseas apparel 100,000 meters
Other materials and secondary materials 100,000 meter
(Reference)
Sales during the 2004 fall and winter seasons 100,000 meters

(Trial marketing to the domestic ladies' clothing industry)