Have you ever worn a shirt that feels cool in summer or underwear that warms you up in winter? Garments made of synthetic fibers feel cool, are absorbent and quick drying or have the function of retaining heat. In Japan, they have become a standard and regular part of people's lives in recent years. High-performance synthetic fibers have a variety of added features. Let's take a look at the leading edge of advances in these fibers, which are made by processing synthetic fibers made from raw materials such as petroleum.

Worldwide Attention on Rugby Uniforms Made of Synthetic Fibers from Japan

Fans around the world went wild about Rugby World Cup 2015. Did you know that players on three of the four best teams there actually wore uniforms made of fibers from Japan? The material with these fibers was enthusiastically received by the players because it stretches comfortably and is resilient, which means it holds its shape. Both of these properties are outstanding. Another property even prevents fingers and fingernails from catching hold of the fabric, so it is perfect for a contact sport like rugby. The fiber manufacturer has gained attention around the world, and is now eager to develop new materials for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

In addition to the above example, there continues to be more synthetic fibers with useful features. Shirts that have them do not wrinkle even when washed. Curtains with deodorizing and antibacterial properties have the fibers. Underwear that helps improve posture by applying pressure to specific parts of the body also uses them. They are in other products too. Let's take a look at surprising synthetic fibers that have recently been big hits.

One Surprising Feature after Another in Next-Generation Synthetic Fibers

First, let's take a look at a fiber that has a relaxing effect simply by touching the skin. The secret lies in the several types of minerals uniquely woven into the fiber. When the far infrared radiation emitted from these minerals reaches the skin, the parasympathetic nervous system is activated, and the body and mind relaxes. The result is the release of tension from muscles, improved blood flow and a slower heart rate.

When initially released, clothing made of these fibers first created a buzz among professional athletes who train hard. Then, as its reputation spread, business people and homemakers who constantly felt tired also came to try the clothing. Happy comments from these regular users include, "My stiff shoulder got better, and my body feels lighter" and "I can sleep soundly while wearing it in bed. I wake up in the morning feeling refreshed."

Next, let's take a look at the "ultimate fiber" that has received a great deal of interest around the world. Developed by a manufacturer after years of research, the fiber is called "ultimate" because it is incredibly thin. It is 1/200,000 the thickness of a typical polyester fiber or 1/7,500 the thickness of a strand of hair. The ultra-fine fiber is the first in the world to achieve this degree of thinness. The fiber is so thin that it is not individually visible to the naked eye. The thinness also means that the surface area of woven fabric with these fibers is tens of times larger than that with conventional fibers. As a result, the capability to absorb water, the suction force on objects, and the anti-slip property have improved dramatically, and the fiber has a wider range of applications, including socks, sports gloves, towels and bedclothes.

One application, for example, is wiping cloths for cleaning restaurants and homes. One gentle wipe with a wiping cloth made of these fibers can clean up what a conventional wiping cloth cannot. It can quickly and fully wipe off even fine dust and tough greasy dirt. Even more, the fiber has the characteristics of being soft to touch and less irritating to the skin, so it has also been used in facial masks and puffs. Facial masks made of the ultra-fine fibers boast a surprisingly good fit, clinging like a second skin when applied, which has earned high praise from women for the "outstandingly moisturizing facial masks."

Earth-Friendly Synthetic Fibers Endlessly Given New Life!

Another advantage of synthetic fibers is that they can be endlessly regenerated through recycling. After being finely ground up, fiber products can be returned to the original raw materials through chemical decomposition. Multiple companies in Japan currently salvage and recycle uniforms made of nylon or polyester. Synthetic fibers are earth- and eco-friendly fibers because they not only allow resources to be reused cyclically but also help reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Synthetic fibers are magical because, at first glance, they just look ordinary yet have the most advanced technology. As they further evolve, fibers with fantastic features that we have not yet imagined are going to appear in the future.