Polyester fibres producer Teijin Fibers has developed a unique polyester fibre with a distinctive, highly modified cross-section with eight projections aligned in a radial pattern around a hollow fibre.

The new fibre, named Octa after its octopus-like appearance, is said to offer rapid sweat absorption and drying, low weight, heat shielding/insulation and useful bulkiness. Octa will be marketed from April 2012 for next-to-skin applications such as underwear and sportswear and for fashion apparel and other uses.

Commenting on the fibre's appearance and properties Teijin said:

"The voids between the eight projections result in a highly functional fibre for sweat absorption, rapid drying and bulkiness. The voids also improve heat shielding and insulation properties, as well as create the lightweight feel of hollow yarn at roughly half the weight of yarn of similar thickness."

According to Teijin, Octa can also be used in combination with other fibres through false twisting, combined filament processing and two-strand yarn spinning. Teijin says the modified cross-section fibres enable new functions to be added and the appearance and texture of original fibres to be altered.

Teijin Fibers' line-up also includes a polyester fibre with a triangular cross-section offering a glossy appearance, a hollow, thin-walled polyester fibre that traps large quantities of non-flowing air for thermal insulation, a polyester fibre with a cross-section of four flat peaks for superior sweat absorption and quick drying, and a false-twisted polyester fibre with an irregular cross-section.

Increased modification and thinness can decrease fibre strength, but Teijin Fibers says it overcame these limitations by leveraging its proprietary fibre-making technologies to develop Octa fibre with its unique, highly modified cross-section.

Based in Tokyo and Osaka, Japan, Teijin is a global technology-driven group operating in eight main fields: aramid fibres, carbon fibres & composites, polyester fibres, plastics, films, medical & pharmaceuticals, fibre products marketing and IT businesses. Teijin Limited, the holding company for the Teijin Group, is listed on the Tokyo and Osaka stock exchanges. The group, comprising 150 companies and 17,542 employees worldwide, had consolidated sales of JPY 815.7 billion (USD 10.6 billion) and total assets of JPY 761.5 billion (USD 9.9 billion) in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2011.