Revolutionizing UV Protection: How EPOCHTEX® Is Paving the Way for EPOCHAL's 'Apparel for Preventive Medicine'

The brand EPOCHAL, launched by Kikuko Matsunari, CEO of PEE-KA-BOO Inc., was born from a deeply personal mission: to protect her son, who was diagnosed with atopic dermatitis. This drive eventually led to research at the RIKEN Incubation Plaza (on the grounds of the RIKEN research institute) and culminated in the creation of EPOCHTEX®, a new material set to redefine UV-protective apparel.

We spoke with Kikuko Matsunari, President and CEO of PEE-KA-BOO Inc., about the story behind the material's development. We traced her journey of creating a high-performance, scientifically-backed material and her ambition to bring hope to people all over the world.

It All Started with a Single Garment to Protect Her Son with Atopic Dermatitis

The story of the UV-protective apparel brand EPOCHAL began when Matsunari's son was diagnosed with atopic dermatitis just after his first birthday. His legs would become red and swollen after being outside, and a trip to the dermatologist confirmed the condition. The doctor advised her, "You should take sun protection measures, as sun exposure could worsen his atopic dermatitis."

"I was so shocked that I don't even remember how I got home, because I knew someone with severe atopic dermatitis. But I believed that if I was just thorough with sun protection, he could grow up healthy. So, I started by draping thick towels over his stroller to create shade and block UV rays," she recalls.

She scoured department stores for children's products but, at the time, found no UV-protective gear on the market. As her son grew and began to walk around, the towel solution was no longer enough.

At that point, she realized her only option was to create a "wearable patch of shade." She visited a craft store and discovered a material with UV-cutting properties called "KS5150." She sewed it into the very first garment for her son. This piece became the prototype for what would later be known as EPOCHAL, a brand destined to protect the skin of many.

This single garment, born out of a mother's love, resonated with others facing similar challenges, becoming the driving force that established a brand dedicated to UV protection.

The Challenges of Existing UV-Cut Materials

At the time the brand was founded, Japanese society widely viewed tanned skin as a symbol of health. Under the guidance of Masamitsu Ichihashi, Professor Emeritus at Kobe University, Matsunari deepened her understanding of the importance of UV protection, learning that excessive sun exposure before vaccinations could compromise the immune system.

As part of her awareness campaign, she embarked on translating the World Health Organization's (WHO) UV protection guidelines, "SUN PROTECTION." Despite grappling with specialized English terminology, she collaborated with a translator to create a Japanese version. Through the 'Association for Children's UV Protection,' she worked to spread the word about the importance of UV protection to a wide audience.

As their work progressed, they were confronted with the harsh reality faced by children with photosensitivity disorders like xeroderma pigmentosum (XP). Previous protective suits for XP patients used technology adapted from space agencies. However, they required multiple ice packs inside, making them unsuitable for extended outdoor use during Japan's hot and humid summers.

"We learned about the heartbreaking reality that these children were bullied for their appearance—fully covered, wearing sunglasses, masks, and gloves—and even had stones thrown at them. There was a time when this knowledge left me feeling crushed and disheartened."

Developing protective clothing that could reliably block UV rays while being comfortable enough to wear all day became a crucial mission for Epochal. The goal was to create something that didn't look out of place as everyday wear—in fact, something so cool and stylish that it would even be admired.

Real-World Testing at the RIKEN Incubation Plaza

To tackle the shortcomings of existing products, Matsunari decided to set up shop at the RIKEN Incubation Plaza, located on the campus of the RIKEN research institute in Wako City, Saitama. Getting into the facility—backed by Saitama Prefecture, RIKEN, Wako City, and SME SUPPORT, JAPAN—wasn't easy and involved a rigorous screening process. However, her mission to solve a major social problem by developing protective clothing for photosensitive patients was highly regarded, and she was granted a spot.

During her five-and-a-half-year residency, Matsunari built a network of experts and dove headfirst into research and development. Coming from a non-science background, she sought guidance from RIKEN researchers on everything from handling UV measurement equipment to building her own custom devices.

"I wanted to scientifically prove the high level of UV protection offered by the titanium oxide-infused yarn in our products," she explained. "Instead of using complex formulas that are hard for consumers to grasp, I was determined to present the effectiveness through clear, measurable data."

Instead of relying on the post-production UV-blocking coatings common in other products, she focused on developing a testing method that would prove the inherent protective power of the material itself.

The process began with simple, hands-on tasks, like having multiple staff members hold fabric up to the light to inspect it, before gradually moving toward more scientific validation. These experiments at the facility, combined with collaboration with experts, marked a critical turning point in developing the core technology for their next-generation UV-protective material, EPOCHTE®.

Lasting Protection Achieved with Titanium Oxide-Infused Yarn

The core technology of the new material, EPOCHTEX®, is that titanium oxide is kneaded directly into the polyester fibers during the manufacturing process. Titanium oxide is a white substance originally used in textiles to make them less transparent.

Further research revealed that this titanium oxide absorbs and scatters wavelengths in the 200 to 400-nanometer ultraviolet spectrum, providing powerful protection against both UV-A and UV-B rays.

"Unlike post-production coatings, the titanium oxide kneaded into the yarn won't wash out, no matter how many times you launder it. The UV-blocking effect will last until the fabric physically tears."

In fact, some customers have reported wearing the same product for over a decade. Thanks to its construction, which meets sportswear standards, the apparel boasts exceptional durability, ensuring it can stand up to long-term wear.

What’s more, the titanium oxide has a photocatalytic effect, adding a deodorizing function that breaks down sweat odor when exposed to UV rays. This unique material property has made it possible to mass-produce garments that protect the skin even in summer conditions and maintain their functionality over the long haul.

The Lightness and Breathability of Piqué Fabric

To tackle the challenge of how increasing the UV-blocking rate often compromises a fabric's breathability and stretch, Matsunari collaborated with a textile factory in Fukui Prefecture to develop a new fabric structure. To regulate body temperature without cooling fans, they adopted a highly breathable piqué (waffle-like) knit that also utilizes the evaporative cooling of sweat.

By combining two types of polyester fibers with different shrinkage rates—PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) and PET (polyethylene terephthalate)—they achieved both lightness and stretch without using any polyurethane.

"Controlling the different shrinkage rates of the two materials during the heat treatment dyeing process was incredibly difficult, and we sometimes clashed with the factory," she recalls. "Mass production was delayed by several months, but the final fabric achieved a 100% UV-blocking rate in tests conducted by an inspection agency."

This structure, which scatters UV rays within the fabric's indentations, contributed to its high-blocking performance while also making it 20% to 30% lighter than conventional hoodies.

Thoughtful design touches were also added. The hood was reshaped to cover the entire face (for which a utility model was registered), and the sleeves were lengthened to protect the hands. By tapering the side seams, the design strikes a perfect balance between high functionality and a flattering silhouette for everyday wear.

A Dream for Paris Fashion Week: Supporting Photosensitivity Patients Worldwide

Epochal's products are not just for consumers looking for everyday UV protection; they are vital necessities for patients with photosensitivity and systemic lupus erythematosus, empowering them to venture outdoors.

"We have patients who tell us in tears, 'Nothing I tried before ever worked, but this apparel actually protects me.' Hearing those voices truly brought home the urgent need for effective UV-care products."

Matsunari recalls being told during a business pitch in Silicon Valley that her market was too niche. But she pressed on, driven by the conviction that for these patients, her products are life-changing.

The brand is now expanding internationally, with product exhibitions at St. Thomas' Hospital in the UK and patient monitoring surveys in Canada. A future goal is to deliver protective clothing directly to patients in Morocco, a country with a harsh UV environment, to demonstrate the apparel's effectiveness firsthand.

"One day, I want to create an opportunity for children with xeroderma pigmentosum to walk the runway at Paris Fashion Week, the pinnacle of the fashion world," she shares. "My biggest dream is to launch a global campaign to deepen understanding of the condition, eliminate bullying and discrimination, and make life easier for them."

What began as one mother's mission to solve a personal challenge has evolved, through science-backed technological development, into a global movement to protect people's skin worldwide.

Peek-a-boo Inc.'s "EPOCHTEX®" transcends the boundaries of a simple apparel material, demonstrating how technology can protect and uphold human dignity. At its heart lies a relentless commitment to embodying the desire to "protect the ones you love" through the power of science and technology.