News Release

HighChem Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, President and CEO: Ushio Taka, hereafter referred to as HighChem) is pleased to announce the launch of the latest collection under its PLA (polylactic acid) fiber material brand, HIGHLACT®.

A Prototype of PLA100% Fleece Completed After Three Years of Development

Fleece is a widely used products for outdoor clothing, sportswear, as well as everyday winter clothing. One of the largest challenges many brands faces with fleece is the heavy use of fossil-fuel based polyester. With 3 years of development, HighChem has developed the core technologies for bio-based PLA fleece which contributes to a reduction in the carbon footprint and use of fossil fuels. Using these core technologies, HighChem is now further improving its softness and functionality with fleece manufacturers.

In this collection, we present a boa fleece jacket with a soft texture  and a microfleece hoodie that is lightweight, comfortable to wear, and ideal for sports activities.

Overcoming Challenges in Durability and Heat Resistance

PLA is known to have low heat resistance compared to polyester while fleece requires heat application during multiple production processes. To address this, HighChem has made a significant number of trials including changes in dyeing processes and agents, temperature adjustment of each production process, and multiple refinements with finishing procedures. 

These trials have generated valuable findings for how to make fleece fabrics out of PLA, which we plan to share with fashion brands and fabric mills to further improve the materials through the partnered developments. The infrastructure we have built for PLA fleece development should help both fabric mills and brands to customize them into their final designs.

One pair of jeans requires approximately 7,500 liters of water. This amount is equivalent to the average drinking water consumption of a person over seven years. Cotton in general requires water intensive cultivation processes with a high evaporation rate during the plant growth and requires a high volume of chemical use. On top of the water use from farming practices, denim tends to use large amounts of water during the production processes.

The "PLA Denim," developed by HighChem in collaboration with a denim manufacturer in Okayama, uses indigo-dyed cotton for the warp yarns and 100% PLA yarns for the weft, thereby reducing the amount of cotton used. Additionally, while chino cargo pants are typically made from cotton chino cloth, this time we have completed a 100% PLA chino fabric that closely resembles cotton in texture by using spun yarns.

By using PLA fibers as a substitute for cotton, the amount of water and chemicals used in fabric production can be reduced. This should contribute to preserving precious water on the planet. 

In February 2024, we released a general book introducing a collection of knit yarns such as 100% PLA spun yarns and filament yarns.

The newly announced French sleeve pullover is a summer knit made from a blend of PLA and Tencel. Tencel is a regenerated fiber made from wood pulp. The wood is sourced from sustainably managed forests, and the fiber is produced using environmentally friendly methods. Like PLA, it is biodegradable. Additionally, its soft texture is similar to PLA, and by blending them, we have created a knit material that can be enjoyed from spring to autumn.

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For further inquiries, please contact:
HighChem Co., Ltd.　Public Relations
Contact: Ms. Kuroiwa (090-6539-4213)   TEL: 03-5251-8580    E-mail: koho@highchem.co.jp