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The Japanese textile industry is well known for its innovativeness. Asahi Kasei's Precisé fine polyester nonwoven is "very thin, like paper" and has a fine and even structure. Kuraray's new Vancool tent and awning material helps to block heat while its Clarino synthetic leather is being used for baseballs and lightweight shoes. Kuraray has also developed towable polyacrylate water bags made from Vectran, and Flextar fabrics made from Kuralon K-II polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Mitsubishi Rayon Engineering's steam-jet entanglement process opens up new end uses for nonwovens. Fabrics made from Omikenshi's Sundia viscose fibres are able to deodorise on exposure to sunlight. Crabyon activates the lysozyme enzyme in the body which gives protection from germs. Kishu Binchotan particles are said to create a sense of well-being, absorb odours and humidity and release far-infrared radiation to aid blood circulation. Other fibres contain the health-giving compounds squalene and squalane. Daiwabo is using artificial enzymes to create odour-free fabrics. Ingenious nonwovens containing photocatalysts are used for filtration by Kurashiki Textile. Teijin Twaron's rubber additive based on a para-aramid fibre increases the durability of tyres and reduces rolling resistance. Health and safety considerations are also prominent. Asahi Kasei, Teijin and Toyobo have developed polyester cushioning materials to compete with PU foam in public transport seating and household furniture. Also, a number of developments are directed towards environmental protection. Teijin Fibers has developed Ecocircle, a system for recycling synthetic fibres from discarded garments. Other companies have developed new processes for recycling polyester terephthalate (PET) bottles into polyester fibre. Biofibres are also growing in importance. Teijin has a heat-stable polylactic alternative to traditional polyesters, and Toray has a biofibre car mat, also based on polylactic acid. Other plant-derived fibres include polybutylene succinate and natural fibres such as bamboo and kenaf. Fujitsu has a biopolymer derived from castor oil and Honda has a plant-based fabric for car interiors. Teijin's new monofilament Morphotex mimics butterfly wings by using interference to produce colour without pigments or dyes. Teijin also has a polyester alternative to high grade merino wool and a polyester fabric for sportswear which absorbs and releases moisture rapidly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article highlights the Valox iQ and Xenoy iQ resins launched by GE Plastics in Japan. They are the result of an initiative that examined GE's manufacturing processes to determine how its products could be made to be cleaner and more environmentally responsible. The resins are created with polybutylene terephthalate-based polymers derived from 85% post-consumer plastic waste. Automotive manufacturers can take advantage of the stated environmental benefits offered by the resins.

The article reports that Mitsubishi Chemical Corp. (MCC) based in Japan has formed a partnership with PTT PLC, an industrial conglomerate in Thailand. The venture called PIT MCC Biochem Company (PMBC) aims to produce and develop sugar-derived polybutylene succinate, a biodegradable aliphatic polyester with similar properties to polyethylene (PE). Shigeru Handa, general manager of the Sustainable Resources Business Development, explained about the objectives of the firm.

The article reports on the plan of Sinopec Yizheng Chemical Fibre Co. Ltd. to expand its polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) facility in China. A reliable source of the chemical producing company, says that the proposed plant has been finalized as of the moment. The firm has signed an agreement on August 3, 2009 with Japan's Hitachi Plant Technologies Ltd. to purchase PBT equipment and technology from Hitachi.

The article reports that the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) in China as launched a dumping investigation into the import of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) resin from Japan and Taiwan province. The product is included in the tariff code of 3907990 in the Import and Export Tariff Codes of the People's Republic of China.

Reports on the start of the dumping investigation by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce on polybutylene terephthalate resin originated from Taiwan and Japan. Duration of the investigation.

Reports on the plan of Mitsubishi Chemical Corp. to build another polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) plant in Japan. Details on Mitsubishi's plan to increase PBT output; Information on the plant construction; Market performance of the company.