Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. and Teijin Frontier Co., Ltd. have jointly developed Pieclex as the world’s first piezoelectric fabrics that generate electrical energy and exhibit antimicrobial performance when a motion is applied.
The two companies also jointly established Pieclex Co., Ltd. on April 1st as a joint venture for the research, development, manufacturing and sales of these fabrics.
Pieclex fabrics obtain antimicrobial performance by converting motions such as human movements into electrical energy by combining Murata Mfg.’s piezoelectric technology cultivated through development and manufacture of electronic components with Teijin Frontier’s fabric technology, which spans from yarns and fabrics to the manufacturing of final products. Pieclex also contributes to protecting the global environment as it uses plant-derived polylactic acid (PLA) as its raw material, and does not apply any chemical agents and organic solvents.
Pieclex uses PLA, which is produced with fermented starch extracted from plants to produce lactic acid then bonded. Since plants absorb carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and synthesize starch, these carbon-neutral, earth-friendly fabrics do not increase the total amount of carbon dioxide that causes global warming.
Pieclex fabrics generate electricity by using the expansion and contraction of the fabric produced by human movements or other motions. This produces antimicrobial and deodorant functions without using any chemical agents or organic solvents, thus helping to reduce the environmental load.
Pieclex Co. will develop a wide range of applications for Pieclex, ranging from apparel products such as sportswear and innerwear to industrial products including filters and sanitary materials. Production and sales will start from fiscal 2020, targeting sales of 10 billion yen by fiscal 2025.
In regard to the joint venture, Murata Mfg. Chairman and President Tsuneo Murata says, “The fabrics developed by newly established Pieclex Co. makes use of our piezoelectric technology and knowledge cultivated through products such as SAW filters, resonators and sensors. Murata Mfg. has contributed mainly in the field of electronic equipment, and I am very happy that this combination with Teijin Frontier’s fabric technology will allow us to challenge the creation of new values in the field of textiles.”
Teijin Frontier President and CEO Shinji Nikko says, “The piezoelectric fabrics developed by Pieclex Co. achieves antimicrobial performance without using any chemical agents, etc. These fabrics also contribute to environmental load reduction as it is made from plant-derived raw materials. Pieclex integrates the cutting-edge technologies of Murata Mfg. and Teijin Frontier, and I believe these innovative fabrics will be essential for sustainable future lifestyles. By providing fabrics that have never existed before, we will contribute to realizing bountiful lifestyles and beautiful environment.”