High-touch fibers and "shin-gosen" (newly innovated fabrics)

Abstract

The history of high value-added synthetic fibers for clothes began with the development of silky polyester fibers in Japan. Many new technologies such as noncircular cross-sectional shape, alkali-reduction treatment, differently shrinking combined-filament yarn, etc., were invented by the imitation of the shape of each individual silk fiber and the characteristics of silk fabrics. These technologies, combined with those for ultrafine fibers, have brought novel, refined-taste, and distinguishing high-grade feel texture for the newly innovated synthetic textiles, which were not attained by natural and conventional synthetic textiles. These new textiles created a boom of "Shin-gosen" during several years from 1988, and this boom played a leading part to restore synthetic fiber industries. These new technical capabilities have been upgraded ever since and are still supporting Japanese textile industries as non-price competitiveness even now.