Toray is aiming to increase their supply for artificial leathers including environment-friendly plant-based raw materials, for automotive interiors to meet the market demands. New Ultrasuede is designed to have more plant-based raw materials. The production in test phase is already confirmed successful. The new product is expected to be used for electronic vehicles, for example. For commercial production, Toray needs to secure the raw materials and address the cost problem. Another product Alcantara produced and supplied by Toray’s subsidiary Alcantara S.p.A. will be designed to reduce carbon dioxide used in the process of production, by using plant-based raw materials.

JCFA News Letter (No.18) November, 2020/Japan Chemical Fibers Association