Toray Industries Inc.

11/21/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/20/2022 20:05

Toray Offering Three New Performance Categories for Rebranded Dermizax™ Waterproof, Breathable Fabric for Sports, and Outdoor Wear

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Toray Offering Three New Performance Categories for Rebranded Dermizax Waterproof, Breathable Fabric for Sports, and Outdoor Wear

Nov. 21, 2022

Toray Industries, Inc.


Tokyo, Japan, November 21, 2022 - Toray Industries, Inc., announced today that it is rebranding its Dermizax brand of waterproof breathable fabric for sports and outdoor wear. With some exceptions, Dermizax is a laminated waterproof, breathable fabric. Dermizax will become available in three varieties. Dermizax Protect will be highly waterproof. DermizaxTM Balanced will offer stretch, waterproofness, and breathability. Dermizax Breathe will combine high breathability and waterproofness.

Toray is deploying new materials for the rebranded range. In-store sales should start from the fall/winter 2024 season. The sales target is 2.5 million meters for the fiscal year ending March 2023, rising to 4 million meters a year later.

Toray has long developed waterproof breathable fabrics, has created and rolled out waterproof breathable fabrics with varying features and specifications to match market needs. The sports and outdoor wear markets have boomed since the COVID-19 pandemic began, particularly for running and cycling. Demand has grown for better waterproofness, lightness, and breathability for the prime Dermizax applications of winter sports, outdoor activities, and golf.

The Built for Purpose brand tagline for Dermizax expresses Toray's commitment to developing and delivering optimal fabrics for the right purpose to meet myriad functionality requirements. The rebranding aims to position Dermizax as the premier line for waterproof breathable fabrics, offering the most suitable versions in readily understood ways to offer the professional grade features that increasingly consumers demand today, including for new applications.
In keeping with the rebranding, Toray is broadening its product lineup by offering three fabric categories. The company is responding to rising interest worldwide in safeguarding the environment by expanding sales of such eco-friendly offerings as ECODEARTM bio-derived polymer materials and products and &+ polyester made from used plastic bottles and other recycled materials.
For waterproof and moisture permeable fabrics, Toray is also using these materials to develop new products, bringing out new waterproof and breathable fabrics with a range of eco-designs for each category. They include offerings that repel water but whose membranes do not use fluorine, yet durable. A mono-material type employing a highly moisture permeable polyester film, with everything from the shell to the membrane and lining made of polyester to make it easy to recycle. Another type uses nanofibers to achieve air permeability, enhance performance and washing durability.

In keeping with its commitment to innovating ideas, technologies, and products that deliver new value, Toray has dedicated itself to providing incredibly comfortable, leading-edge eco-friendly fabrics for sports and outdoor wear that help all athletes and consumers pursue new challenges. It will keep contributing to social progress by pioneering technologies and advanced materials for better living.

Product details are as follows.

I. Dermizax rebranding
Definition Features
Before rebranding Polyurethane non-porous waterproof breathable laminated textile Waterproof, breathable, and stretchy
After rebranding Waterproof and breathable laminated fabric incorporating various membrane materials Customizable waterproofness level, moisture permeability, breathability, non-fluorine compatible, mono-material (easily recyclable), highly durable, plant-derived synthetic fiber (non-petroleum-based)

II. New waterproof and moisture permeable fabrics
1. Product features
(1) Three new categories based on waterproof performance
(2) Diverse product range combining such eco-friendly specialty Toray offerings as ECODEAR and &+

Overview of three fabric categories
Benefits Key applications Performance
1 Dermizax Protect High water resistance Marine sports, fishing, and other water-related activities Water pressure resistance exceeding 20,000 millimeters of water column (mmH2O), with 30,000 and 40,000 mmH2O variants also available
2 Dermizax Balanced Balancing stretch, waterproofness, and breathability Winter sports, golf, and other activities in which functionality and texture are important Water pressure resistance of around 20,000 mmH2O
3 Dermizax Breathe Waterproof, yet highly breathable In many lightweight material variations for running, cycling, and other strenuous activities Variations with water pressure resistance ranging from 3,000 to 10,000 mmH2O
2. Technology overview
(1) A type that delivers high water pressure resistance by optimizing the arrangement of non-fluorinated water repellent agents on pore inner walls in a highly durable microporous polyurethane film layer
(2) A type offering high durability by incorporating optimal compounding agents for highly moisture-permeable polyester film
(3) A uniquely designed high-density nano-fiber sheet with outstanding water pressure resistance and improved washing durability, air permeability.
3. Patent applications: Two filings, including for related patents
4. Launch timing: From fall/winter 2024 season
5. Sales targets: 2.5 million meters in year ending March 2024 and 4 million meters in year ending March 2025
Related websites
Dermizax
https://www.sportstextiles.toray/en/brand/dermizax/
Toray Sports Fabrics 
https://www.sportstextiles.toray/en/



Toray will exhibit at what is the world's largest sports trade show. The company will exhibit a range of apparel products employing Dermizax and ECODEARTM N510, a 100% bio-based nylon fiber, as well as sports and outdoor products.
1. Event: ISPO MUNICH 2022  
https://www.ispo.com/en/munich
2. Location: Munich, Germany
3. Venue:  Event Center Messe München
Address: Messegelaende, D-81823 München, Germany
4. Event dates: Monday, November 28, through Wednesday, November 30, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (5:00 p.m. on last day)
5. Toray booth: HALL A1 booth 212
6. Key Toray exhibits: Dermizax, ECODEAR, Airtastic, and KARUISHI