First polyester cushioning material to replace urethane in swimwear bra cups

30-Jun-09

Teijin Fibers Limited announced the world's first polyester-based cushioning material for swimwear bra cups, made with V-LAP, a vertically lapped nonwoven fabric that Teijin Fibers introduced in 2007. V-LAP, until now used mainly for beddings, is finding new applications as a cushioning material in place of urethane. Although urethane has been virtually the only material used as cushioning for swimwear bra cups, it has the drawbacks of low breathability and easy yellowing. The company says V-LAP is highly breathable, does not yellow easily and is easy to mold, making it an ideal material for swimwear bra cups. Moreover, Teijin Fibers' special molding technology has produced a bra cup with form stability capable of withstanding 50-plus washes, the general performance standard for swimwear. V-LAP also incorporates ELK, a high-performance polyester cushioning material, which realizes high rebounding and appropriate cushioning properties that prevents sagging. Teijin Fibers is now developing cushioning material for undergarment bra cups made with V-LAP, aiming at a market launch within the fiscal year ending in March 2010. The recycling of used V-LAP bra cups is also under consideration.