Teijin Limited announced that its V-Lap lightweight, sound-absorbing polyester material has been selected for use in the floor carpet of the new Mitsubishi Outlander, a midsize crossover vehicle that launched in Japan last month.

The floor carpet was developed by Hayashi Telempu Corporation, a manufacturer of interior automotive parts. V-Lap was adopted as the sound-absorbing material for the carpet's back side.

V-Lap's vertically oriented nonwoven structure performs every bit as well as conventional sound-absorbing materials yet weighs only half as much. With environmental regulations becoming stricter worldwide, there is a growing demand for solutions that help to improve fuel efficiency, including through vehicle-weight reduction.

Going forward, Teijin aims to expand the global market for V-Lap's use in various sound-absorption auto parts, including ceilings and doors.

V-Lap is a nonwoven fabric comprising fibers that are oriented vertically (upward). It is made with a unique manufacturing method to produce a structure that is bulky, lightweight and easy to mold.

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.