Solution case studies

Two solutions to the SDGs,
developed through the collective efforts of the Toray Group.

Background

Background to the solution

Addressing the SDGs has become an essential requirement in the apparel business

Adopted at the 2015 UN Summit, the SDGs are international goals for a sustainable world. The fashion industry, in particular, has a significant environmental impact due to the amount of energy used in production and the short life cycles of its products. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has accordingly severely criticized the fashion industry as “the world's second most polluting industry.” With Europe and the United States moving to curb textile waste in recent years, the apparel industry has been working even harder to become more environmentally friendly. Indeed, addressing sustainability is becoming an essential requirement in the apparel business.

Our Solution

Solution proposed by Toray International

Two answers for the creation of a recycling-oriented society

What can Toray International do to help create a recycling-oriented society that moves away from mass production, consumption, and disposal? The answer lies in the highly durable TORAIN™ rainwear and Toray's stretchy 3DeFX+™ padding with a special spiral structure. With an outer fabric that is resistant to hydrolysis and seam tapes developed by Toray Group for sewing parts that are resistant to hydrolysis, TORAIN™ rainwear can withstand the equivalent of 10 years of use. Prolonged use reduces unnecessary waste. 3DeFX+™ is made up of multiple spiral-structured fibers that intertwine in a 3D shape to provide high stretch, warmth, and comfort, and is used as a lightweight, compact padded garment. It is made of 50% recycled polyester.

Interview

Joined the Apparel Department Ⅱ,
Overseas Operation Section in 2021

Addressing sustainability has become a requirement in the European and American markets

The Overseas Operation Section, to which I belong, is engaged in a variety of promotional activities to promote TORAIN™ and 3DeFX+™ sustainable solutions to a wide audience. Sustainability awareness is especially high in other countries, and people are not interested in products unless they are made from recycled, organic, or other sustainable materials. You cannot even participate in the business. For this reason, we participate in domestic and international exhibitions to promote the high environmental friendliness and functionality of TORAIN™ and 3DeFX+™ and to raise awareness of the products. In 2023 I also participated in ISPO Munich 2023, one of the world's largest sports and outdoor products trade shows in Germany, where I had business meetings with apparel manufacturers from around the world. Moreover, in Japan, Toray International has exhibited at the Sustainable Fashion EXPO, where ethical, environmentally friendly and other sustainability-conscious fashion products and materials are displayed from around the world, as well as at ULTRA-TRAIL Mt. FUJI, Asia's largest trail running festival, to showcase Toray International's initiatives to individual customers and end users.

Positive feedback from heavy users

Many ordinary consumers have attended our exhibitions in Japan, and both TORAIN™ and 3DeFX+™ have generally received high praise. TORAIN™'s Instagram account has one of the largest numbers of followers among the Toray Group's fiber-related accounts. At the venue, we received many questions, such as "In which products is 3DeFX+™ used?” And every time we exhibit at a trade show, people remark, “You were there last time, too!” “I saw your products at the shop the other day!” So I feel that brand recognition is definitely increasing. In addition to the product concept of sustainability, I believe that the high functionality and comfort of the product, which is a result of Toray's technology, is acknowledged and appreciated by the heavy users who actually enjoy mountaineering and trail running. In fact, we are proud that our rainwear, which does not deteriorate even after 10 years of testing in the “jungle test,” an accelerated deterioration test that measures the deterioration of clothing products, and shows no signs of hydrolysis. This product hits the nail on the head in terms of what customers want.

3DeFX+™ promotes the product brand,
including the production background

Toray International has established its own sewing factory in Quang Ngai, Vietnam. It has been in operation since 2021. Here, the Company sews and provides OEM products using 3DeFX+™ at the request of apparel makers around the world. In fact, the Company's own factory is also keenly aware of the SDGs and has obtained LEED certification, a green building certification program. In addition to reusing wastewater and utilizing solar energy, the factory is also attempting to promote its product brand, including the production background, by adding greenery to the area around the factory. Again, in the West, addressing sustainability has become a requirement for participating in the apparel business. This trend will eventually come to Japan as well. There is no doubt that Toray International's early commitment to sustainability will give it an advantage. It is because we are part of the Toray Group that we are able to make integrated proposals that take advantage of our functions as a trading company. It is why we can select appropriate production backgrounds for materials made using Toray's advanced technologies, manufacture them into sewn products, and deliver them to our customers. Toray International intends to use Toray's advanced technology to make the apparel business more sustainable, rather than making it a technology-only proposition.

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