Blossoming After Trial & Error: The Potential of "Octa," the Ultra-Complex Hollow-Cross Section Yarn

The polyester fabric "Thermo Fly," which combines sweat-handling features demanded for sports and outdoor wear inners and the insulation needed for mid-layers (worn between the inner and outer layers), started being adopted by overseas outdoor brands in 2021. However, the ultra-lightweight fiber "Octa" that supports this performance was actually developed more than 15 years ago.
 
This is a good example of how technology can create new value depending on its usage. How did the material "Octa" attract attention, and what is it made of? To find out, we visited Teijin Frontier Co., Ltd., and spoke with Nobuaki Ogata, who was in charge of its development.

Developing High-Functionality Materials Expands the Horizons of Comfortable Living

Cool in summer and warm in winter. It has become commonplace for even seemingly ordinary casual wear to be made from high-performance materials that excel in quick-drying, cooling, insulation, and thermal insulation properties. Lighter is better than heavier, and durable is better than fragile. As consumer demands for comfort increase in a saturated market, the materials development field is striving to develop even higher-performance materials.