Teijin Frontier, the Teijin Group’s fibre products converting company, has developed an indigo-like synthetic fibre, named INDI5, in collaboration with Daiichi Gousen and Mitsuke Senkou, Japanese long-established textile mills of heavy-weight fabrics and dyeing.

INDI5 is a lightweight indigo-like fabric that has been designed to offer comfort, easy care and fade resistance. The colourfast indigo-like fabric combines Teijin Frontier’s polymer-modification technology, Daiichi Gousen’s weaving technology and Mitsuke Senkou’s dyeing technology.

Teijin Frontier is now exploring marketing opportunities for INDI5 available in four colour variations, including the ladies wear, outerwear and uniform segments.

Revitalising domestic operations

Teijin Frontier says it has been working with these companies since 2012 to help them revitalise their domestic operations. The new fibre was developed in Mitsuke, Niigata Prefecture, one of Teijin Frontier’s main production regions for heavy-weight fabrics and well known as indigo dyeing.

INDI5 polyester fibre is made with a highly dye- and colour-receptive polymer that bleeds like indigo-dyed cotton. It is said to offer natural texture, and it can be partially bleached with a special process for colour variation. Special weaving technology also helps achieve denim-like texture.

According to the manufacturer, some of the features of the new INDI5 fabric include denim-like uneven colouring, soft, lightweight synthetic fibre, no discoloration after washing, wrinkle resistance and fast drying, as well as denim look combined with comfort.

Teijin Group

Teijin is a technology-driven global group offering 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 fibres and composites, healthcare, films, resin and plastic processing, polyester fibres, products converting and IT. The group has some 150 companies and around 16,000 employees spread out over 20 countries worldwide.

www.teijin.com