Teijin Frontier Co., Ltd. will significantly change its organization structure this April.
In coordination with consistently undertaking the development and production of polyester from the fiber stage to final products, the sales organization will unify commercial and industrial activities more together with an aim at offering solutions toward end users. And nonwovens are no exception.
As a result of the reorganization, the Non-woven Solution Department of the Functional Materials Division that has been handling nonwovens products will become the Functional Materials Division II from April. General Manager Shinichirou Horinouchi says with emphasis, “We will pursue value addition in areas closer to users centering on the core materials of the Teijin Group.”
One product that is positioned as a core material is Nanofront nanofibers. The company aims to expand its sales in nonwoven sheets and products. Special emphasis will be placed on application in bag filters. The company is strong in the sector of dust and powder collection, and has been offering solutions toward sectors related to cement and steel.
There are bag filters processed a fluorine membrane for dust and powder collection, but problems occur as the membrane is damaged during use and decreases the dust collection performance. On the other hand, Nanofront nonwoven fabric has intermediate properties between those of the membrane and fiber, so it can possess both dust collectability and durability. Nanofront nonwovens are being actively promoted, such as through participation in exhibitions and events by industry associations and academic organizations.
As far as bag filters are concerned, a heat-resistant type using aramid fiber is currently under development. This product is intended for use in cement and asphalt factories where heat resistance is required.
The cushion material Elk is also an original core material. By transferring its production to Thailand, a system that enables further production expansion has been established. Since there are increasing moves to avoid the use of urethane globally from the viewpoint of environmental burden, Elk is being sold globally for application in bra pads, inner materials of furniture, mattress toppers, etc.
Fine-denier polyester shortcut fibers are another core material, for which the company holds a global market share of 30% and a Japanese market share of 70%. The company is promoting sales of not only sheets but also products such as filters and separators.
Teijin Frontier intends to create its fourth and fifth core materials, such as with the use of finer fibers and other types of polymer and the development of functional staple fibers and conjugate fibers. An emphasis is being placed on the development of applications, such as sound absorption, insulation and electromagnetic wave shields. In addition to technological innovation in each of the processing stages, collaboration with firms outside the group will also be promoted for the procurement of materials.
This year is the 100th anniversary of Teijin’s founding. At ANEX 2018, Teijin Frontier will present new products, looking at all processes from fiber to the final product in the next 10 years. It intends to create new solutions together with users.