A new Nylon
Toray Industries, Inc. (Tokyo, Japan; www.toray.com) has developed a new, more-sustainable nylon trade-named Ecodear. Ecodear Nylon is 60% bio-based, developed with sebacic acid generated from castor beans. The resulting fiber, initially available in 10, 20- and 50-denier versions, can be spun in the same process as conventional nylon, and can be used to make bio-based versions of the company’s brand technologies, such as Dermizax and Entrant. Toray plans to market the textile this fall, targeting the active outdoor sports and skiing markets, as well as leisure markets. Toray International America Inc. (New York, N.Y.) will provide the new textile in North America.