Japan Dongli Develops The First 100% Plant Based Polyester Fiber To Reduce Oil Dependence.

TorayIndustries, a Japanese maker of materials, hopes to start large-scale production of polyester produced entirely from plants. This breakthrough is expected to reduce dependence on oil and reduce carbon emissions.

Dongli and the US biofuel startups Virent jointly developed the world's first 100% plant polyester fiber. People familiar with the matter said the production plan will begin in the early ten years.

Textiles have attracted worldwide attention for their huge carbon footprint. In particular, polyester fiber accounts for 80% of the world's synthetic fiber. Ecological concerns are driving clothing companies to shift from oil based fibers. H&M said last year that it would shift completely to sustainable materials by 2030.

"In the US and Europe, unless you use environmentally-friendly materials, you will be increasingly unable to do business," said the head of a Japanese textile trading company. FAST Retling, the Japanese operator of Uniqlo, has used biological fibers in some of its products. In January, the group joined the United Nations Climate Action charter for clothing industry, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% in the industry by 2030. More than 90 companies have signed the Charter.

Terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol from synthetic polyester are extracted from petroleum. The technology of extracting ethylene glycol from sugarcane already exists, and some of the fibers sold by Dongli company use plant based alternatives. Virent can produce a biogenerated terephthalic acid, which accounts for 70% of the polyester content. Obviously, the inedible part of sugarcane and corn will be processed into this chemical.

This plant fiber is said to have the same durability and processability as traditional polyester. The materials envisaged by Dongli and Virent are used in sportswear, automotive interior and other products. Japan's largest textile manufacturer, Dongli (Toray), plans to increase its supply of environmental materials to 4 times in fiscal year 2013 in fiscal year 2030 as demand for such products grows.