Kuraray Fastening Co., Ltd.added a recycled type of FREE MAGIC mixed hook-and-loop fastener to its lineup of environmentally friendly hook-and-loop fastener, which has acquired the internationally recognized recycled material label standard Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) certification. The new product will be launched in July 2024. This release expands Kuraray Fastening’s range of sustainable products and contributes to its efforts to realize a circular society.
In 2004, Kuraray Fastening established its proprietary manufacturing method for polyester hook-and-loop fasteners that do not use polyurethane or other back coating agents. Because it does not use back coating agents, which hinder recycling, the product has garnered acclaim for being environmentally friendly and reining in CO2 emissions in the manufacturing process.
In 2022, the company launched a recycled type of MAGIC TAPE, which is made of 100% polyester and includes recycled raw materials, and has expanded its applications as a recyclable product into such fields as uniforms and sports apparel.
By adding the FREE MAGIC mixed hook-and-loop type, to its environmentally friendly product lineup, the company has bolstered this lineup that effectively utilizes limited resources, further reduces environmental burden, and meets social needs.
This is an advanced hook-and-loop fastener that incorporates the functions of hooks and loops into one roll of tape. Its strengths include the prevention of incorrectly placing the hook-and-loop side, a reduction in the irritating sensation on skin, and the prevention of the tape catching on other fabrics.
About 30% of the product by weight is polyester fiber that is produced utilizing used plastic bottles as a raw material. Conventional manufacturing methods for these kinds of fasteners use urethane resin for a back coating agent, which presents an obstacle to recycling due to the difficulty of separating the materials. Because this new product is 100% polyester and does not use back coating agents, the product itself is recyclable.
Organic solvents are not used, and the production generates about 30% less in CO2 emissions from manufacturing processes (compared with the company’s conventional processes). The product has acquired RCS certification from the Textile Exchange, which is based in the U.S. state of Texas, through the KE’KEN Testing & Certification Center. With this certification, a transaction certificates (TCs) can be issued upon request from the customer, and the fastener can be used as an RCS-certified product.