Teijin Aramid has commenced production of the first all black aramid fibre, Twaron Black, in Emmen, in the Netherlands. Twaron, normally golden yellow in colour due to the chemical process used in its manufacture, is now available in black for the first time.

"Aramid is difficult to dye by nature, but it is now possible to produce black threads of the same quality. Twaron is five times stronger than steel at the same weight and is often used in bullet-proof vests, ropes and cables, sails and fire-fighter suits," a Teijin Aramid statement said today.

At the request of customers in the sailing and sports industries, Teijin Aramid started to investigate other colours for Twaron and as a result Twaron Black will soon be seen for the first time in the sails of the world's largest ocean sailing race, the Volvo Ocean Race.

"For the threads to become completely black, they are not dyed afterwards, like cotton fibres. The production process has been adjusted to inject the fibre with the black dye during the process. This makes it the first black aramid fibre with characteristics that are equivalent to the standard golden yellow fibre," Gert Frederiks, CEO of Teijin Aramid, explained, adding:

 "With Twaron Black, it is possible to combine the special characteristics of the aramid fibre with a beautiful look. Black aramid fibres have already been produced in the world, but they do not have the same characteristics (modulus) as the standard Twaron aramid fibre."

Aramid fibres are frequently used in water sports and sportswear, where they are combined with carbon. "For example, you often see the golden yellow of aramid in sails on a professional yacht or the underside of a canoe. With Twaron Black, it becomes part of the whole and maintains the same characteristics," Mr Frederiks said.

With its three production sites in the Netherlands, Teijin Aramid claims to be responsible for more than half of the world's production of aramid.