For the first time, a synthetic material has been created that can mimic the highly functional properties of silk wool, Teijin Frontier said.
The Japanese company, known for its look-alike SOLOTEX synthetics, created a new material that it said can stand toe-to-toe with the best silk wool fabrics. This comes just after the group released a linen-like synthetic that was created to match the functionality and natural appearance of its organic cousins. The new polyester material, another synthetic SOLOTEX material, looks to do the same.
“Silk wool, a hybrid of silk and wool that came into use during the 1950s, is a high-function material noted for swelling, smoothness, softness, melange and dense colorings, a combination of properties not possible with synthetic materials until now,” Teijin said in a press release for the new fabric.
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Teijin claims to have achieved the same look and feel of silk wool along with incorporating some qualities found only in synthetic fabrics. For instance, Teijin’s polyester material boasts high washability and crease resistance compared to traditional silk wool. Teijin also touted the easy addition of water-repelling and anti-fouling properties to its fabric that would not be possible in a natural blend.
The group says the look-alike fabric will feel closer to the softness and “elegant gloss” of natural silk while maintaining the strength and color density of wool.
“Teijin Frontier uses a multi-thickness structure to process straight polyester filament yarn, employing a proprietary higher-order thread-processing technology. The yarn is then blended with SOLOTEX and finally undergoes post-dyeing processing. The new SOLOTEX material realizes colorings with dense spots that are close to those of natural materials,” Teijin continued.
The organization plans to market its fabric as suitable for “medium-thickness apparel applications including jackets and bottoms.” Teijin’s SOLOTEX silk wool will be available within the current fiscal year. Teijin projects yearly totals of 100,000 meters sold by spring 2020.
