Daiwa Chemical develops new flame retardant without carbonizing materials suitable for polyester for possible use in fabrics for upholstering furniture.

Daiwa Chemical Industries (H.O.: Osaka) has developed "Francoat Wu," a new type non-halogen flame retardant, by mixing flame-resistant compounds into resin emulsion, and started its promotion. According to them, as its main feature, "Francoat Wu" is capable of carrying out flame proofing on polyester for furniture upholstery, this had been difficult without using carbonizing materials. It inhibits combustion of material by back-coating "Francoat Wu" on polyester with a melting property which adds an enhanced, powerful carbonizing effect as well as flame resistance. Flames would not spread into the stuffing since a hole is not made in the combustion area.

Fabric coated with Francoat Wu inhibits combustion of the material. Since a hole is not made in the combustion area, flames do not spread into the stuffing.

Group visiting Japan from major Chinese dyeing industry firms return
after meetings with Japanese companies.

The management group from major Chinese dyeing firms visiting Japan left the country from Narita Airport on August 27, after several meetings with various Japanese companies along their itinerary from Wakayama to Osaka, Nagoya and Tokyo. The group went to Korea afterwards and visited related companies and research institutes, then left for Beijing on September 1.

Group visiting Japan from China hears explanations about new perspectives of factory management from Japanese parties.

Group visiting Japan from China on tour to Hanwa Factory of Asahi Kako

Daiwabo Neu's "PLATINUM ELITE"
breaks down hydrogen peroxide on fabric.

Daiwabo Neu (H.O.: Osaka) has developed "PLATINUM ELITE," a functional processed material which breaks down hydrogen peroxide　(H₂O₂), one kind of active oxygen on fabric, and will promote it for pajamas, underwear, shirts, pants and duvet covers from spring/summer 2007.

According to them, "PLATINUM ELITE" is platinum nano-colloid, nanometer-sized ultra small particles of platinum (Pt) often used for accessories, firmly fixed within fabrics with special technology. The effect of breaking down active oxygen lasts for a long period since platinum acts as a catalyst without altering itself.

It has an added antibacterial finish, and its washing fastness has been well confirmed.

Confirmation of break down of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) with PLATINUM ELITE

in Italian textile manufacturing region of Plato.

A conspicuous number of textile firms have gone out of business and closed down recently in each Italian textile manufacturing region because of decreases in textile production due to floods of imported textile products. In the Plato textile region, north of Florence in Italy, in one case the Chinese bought a closed-down textile firm and started to export textile products and accessories to China.

Concern about delay in delivery time of solid dyeing in Japan
due to decreases in firms handling it.

There is concern that delays in delivery time of solid dyeing might occur because spaces for processing in dyeing firms have been decreasing due to manufacturers including Suzuroku Senko of Hamamatsu, which had carried out solid dyeing of cotton for lady's wear in Japan, having withdrawn from the dyeing business. Dyeing firms which still remains are requesting early indications of color to avoid a heavy concentration of dyeing orders.

Dr. Akihiko Ouchi's article on photochemical bleaching of cotton fabrics informally determined to be published in Germany's Melliand International.

The research paper "Halogen-free photochemical bleaching of cotton fabrics" written by Dr. Akihiko Ouchi has been informally determined to be published in Melliand International (English-language) issued by Deutscher Fachverlag (partner with Senshoku Keizai). It will be in the issue published at the end of this year.

Nisshinbo releases new nonwoven fabric mask
to cut over 99% of pollen and bacteria.

Nisshinbo has begun promotion of its nonwoven fabric mask, "Nisshinbo zeolite mask" which is using a high-functional material "copper zeolite cotton sheet." This mask has a four-layered structure and has the following characteristics.

• Copper zeolite high-functional cotton sheet (GAIACOT) is used for the third layer. Copper ion's antibacterial effect and the excellent odor-eliminating of zeolite boost wearing environment of the mask.
• Mesh-type 100% high grade cotton nonwoven fabric Oikos with excellent breathability is used for the front. With its high moisture absorption/release properties of natural cotton as well as gauze masks, it prevents dryness to fulfill mask's original function.
• With its four-layered structure, it has an excellent rate of shielding for fine particles like pollen/bacteria/virus necessary for use in an ordinary environment. With its Pollen: cut over 99% / Bacteria: cut over 99% / Fine particles equal in size to a virus: cut over 82%

Unitika develops and promotes fiber glass fabric
for vehicle light cover.

Unitika has developed a special resin which does not produce smoke and prevents snags in fiber glass and using this special resin, a glass fiber fabric "TWINKLE" which does not produce noxious fumes and smoke in flames. "TWINKLE" is formaldehyde-free (F☆☆☆☆ level). It produces less static electricity and hinders adhesion of dirt (it produces static electricity less than one twentieth of that of acrylic board and one fifteenth of that of polycarbonate plate). It can produce a soft light not allowing the fluorescent lamp inside to show while it realizes high light transmission (about 50%) with the ingenuity of its fabric structure. As one of its characteristics, it can contribute to saving weight in a vehicle because of its light weight (212g/m²).

"TWINKLE," a glass fiber fabric for vehicle light covers does not produce smoke even in direct contact with flames.

Kuraray raises price of heat-resistant polyamide resin
from September 15 shipments.

Kuraray will raise the price of all products of "Genestar," a heat-resistant polyamide resin for domestic and overseas shipping from September 15 shipments. The range of the price hike is 50 yen~70 yen/kg.

Ciba raises price of polymer additives
from October 1 shipments in Japan.

Ciba Specialty Chemicals (Basel, Switzerland) raises the price of　an antioxidizing agent for plastic and some phosphorous stabilizers which are sold as Ciba IRGANOX and Ciba IRGAFOS by 5-15% worldwide. It will be effective promptly according to contract conditions in each country and expected to be effective from October 1 shipments in Japan.