Toray Industries Launches Recycled Nylon

Toray Industries, the world’s leading fiber and textile manufacturer with over $12 billion in annual sales, is launching a new product line of recycled fibers and fabrics called Recyclonâ„¢. In addition to recycled polyester products, Toray is introducing recycled nylon 6 fibers available today and a collection of new textiles based on these fibers.

In this new process, Toray uses the off-spec yarn generated during its virgin nylon production to create post-industrial recycled content yarn.

“Through this recycled process, we utilize only 15% of the energy (BTUs) required during the production of virgin nylon fibers made from petroleum,” states Kenny Gotcher of Toray. Gotcher also explains that carbon dioxide emissions are reduced by 80%.

Nylon 6 is used in approximately 70% of all outerwear within the outdoor and snow sports markets. Toray’s newest development in nylon fiber manufacturing is anticipated to have a significant impact on the overall environmental footprint of apparel manufacturers around the world. Garments containing this fiber will hit the consumer market as early as Fall 2007 and Spring 2008.

In addition to material recycling, Toray is making great strides in its development of a closed-loop chemical recycling process of nylon 6. Toray expects to complete developments in chemical recycling in the near future. In the meantime, forward thinking clothing companies are beginning to work with Toray to design garments with future chemical recycling in mind.

Toray is pursuing numerous other environmental initiatives, which are already being adopted by and available to various industries around the globe. Some of these innovations include Boeing’s new lightweight Dreamliner planes made primarily of Toray’s carbon fiber composite materials; new eco-friendly fibers and fabrics derived from corn, soybeans, bamboo, cellulose and PET bottles; carbon fiber and corn based plastics for the auto industry; solvent-free coatings for waterproof-breathable outerwear; carbon composite materials for wind-turbine propellers; and desalination membranes providing clean drinking water in many countries where fresh water supplies are limited.

About Toray:
As the world’s leading manufacturer of synthetic fibers and textiles, Toray Industries, Inc. has been empowering the most recognized consumer brands in the North American outdoor apparel industry with the most advanced synthetic fabrics for more than 27 years. Toray is the official fabric supplier to both the U.S. & Canadian Alpine Ski Teams. Founded in 1926, Toray has over 200 subsidiaries and affiliates in 18 countries and over $12 billion in annual sales. Toray’s commitment to the environment is demonstrated by its ongoing research and development of textiles that reduce its dependency on non-renewable resources including industrial and post consumer recycling programs and its continuing global operations reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and per unit energy consumption. For more information on Toray, go to www.torayentrant.com or call 866.963.4873.