Japanese textile makers go green in battle against micro-plastic waste

According to The Asahi Shimbun, synthetic fiber makers are gearing up to combat water pollution caused by tiny pieces of plastic that fall off from the washing of fleece and other chemical fiber waste.
The textile industry is working toward developing materials that produce a reduced amount of fiber waste, anti-pollution criteria and other measures to stop fabric-connected micro-plastics in discharged household water from entering oceans.
Major fiber manufacturer Teijin Frontier Co. created Delta TL, a polyester fiber whose bristles do not easily fall out.
As ordinary fleece materials are napped to better retain heat, the fibers are easy to drop off. But threads of Delta TL form loops like towels and can prevent themselves from falling off.
Delta TL’s sales to apparel companies in and outside Japan totaled 300,000 meters and 500,000 meters in fiscal 2018 and 2019, respectively.
“Apparel firms in the United States and Europe are more environmentally conscious, and there is an increased need for the development of sustainable materials,” said a public relations official of Teijin Frontier.

http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14031336

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www.j-abc.com/jp-blog/1543265.html 
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