Japan’s Chemical firm, Teijin Group, has developed Octa Neo, a multilayer fibre that combines the company’s proprietary Octa hollow, eight-fin polyester fibre with various chemical and natural staple fibres for diverse applications.

Teijin Frontier plans to release Octa Neo in time for 2017 spring/summer sportswear and underwear applications. Octa Neo is also an ideal fibre for uniforms, bedding and various industrial materials. Annual sales of 500,000 meters are targeted by the fiscal year ending in March 2020.

Octa Neo is a sheath-core fibre that uses Octa filament as its core material. Octa has a unique cross section comprising eight projections, or fins, aligned in a radial pattern around a tube-like fibre. Octa Neo combines the low weight, high bulkiness, water absorption, and water diffusion of Octa with the texture and softness of staple fibres selected for each application. Octa Neo also offers stiffness, stretchiness and breathability.

Octa Neo, in addition to its own excellent properties, can be integrated through combined weaving with other highly functional fibres from Teijin Frontier for expanded applications, such as T-shirts, polo shirts, underwear or denim, according to a press release.

Although chemical fibres are already used widely for highly functional sportswear, there are strong demands for materials offer better textures that are not achievable with conventional fibres. Staple fibres offer the desired texture, but they lack sufficient strength and stretchiness. To combine the attractive features of both fibres, Teijin Frontier leveraged its original technology to develop Octa Neo, which combines Octa fibre and other chemical or natural fibres. (GK)