Bioworks and Matsukawa Rapyarn Develop 100% PlaX High-Density Woven Label
Collaboration with Matsukawa Rapyarn introduces 100% PlaX woven labels, while Goldwin adopts the plant-based fibre for an exclusive Shinsaibashi store T-shirt.
Bioworks, together with Matsukawa Rapyarn, a woven label manufacturer based in Sakai City, Fukui Prefecture, has developed a high-density woven label made entirely from PlaX.
While apparel brands are increasingly replacing petroleum-based fabrics with more environmentally conscious materials, labels, tags and other garment components are still widely produced using petroleum-derived materials.
The newly developed woven label uses 100% PlaX ultra-fine yarns, comprising 75 denier warp yarns and 100 denier weft yarns, enabling detailed logo and text reproduction while maintaining an appearance and quality comparable to conventional polyester woven labels.
According to Bioworks, PlaX is a plant-based synthetic fibre derived from renewable resources such as sugarcane and has been designed with future chemical recycling in mind. Using PlaX for both garments and woven labels could improve material consistency and support future collection and recovery of PlaX-based products.
The companies stated that although replacing woven labels alone does not make a product fully circular, redesigning individual apparel components represents one step towards more sustainable manufacturing.
Bioworks and Matsukawa Rapyarn said they will continue developing woven labels, brand tags and jacquard fabrics using PlaX while promoting collaboration among material manufacturers, brands and textile-producing regions.
Comment from Akihisa Matsukawa
Akihisa Matsukawa, President and Representative Director of Matsukawa Rapyarn Co., Ltd., said:
"We believe that woven labels are more than simple identification tags; they are the smallest medium through which a brand can communicate its authenticity and value.
The PlaX woven label offers a new option for brands seeking to preserve their identity while also considering material selection and the overall design of their products.
In addition, through the development of jacquard fabric samples made from 100% PlaX yarns and solution-dyed yarn sample books, we have begun to see opportunities to expand our high-density weaving technology beyond brand labels into fabrics and other new applications.
We hope to carry forward the weaving expertise that has been cultivated over the past century in Maruoka Town, Sakai City, Fukui Prefecture, and apply it to the manufacturing of the future."
The companies have also developed a promotional jacquard-woven POP display made from 81% PlaX and 19% recycled polyester, woven at high density to demonstrate the material's capabilities. In addition, they offer solution-dyed PlaX yarns in 50 denier and 100 denier across 11 colours, supported by colour sample books and rapid prototyping services for woven labels and jacquard fabrics.
Goldwin Selects PlaX for Exclusive Souvenir T-Shirt
Bioworks also announced that Goldwin Inc. has selected PlaX for an exclusive souvenir T-shirt under its Goldwin brand.
The T-shirt will be sold exclusively at Goldwin Shinsaibashi, Goldwin's second store in the Kansai region, scheduled to open on 31 July 2026.
According to the company, Goldwin evaluated several materials while developing the souvenir collection and selected a fabric combining cotton with PlaX.
The newly developed fabric positions PlaX on the skin-facing side, utilising its antibacterial and odour-control properties to help suppress odour-causing bacteria while providing wearing comfort.
Bioworks stated that PlaX is produced from renewable plant-based feedstocks such as sugarcane and is intended to reduce dependence on petroleum-derived materials while offering functional properties including antibacterial and odour-control performance.
Goldwin selected the material as part of its long-standing philosophy of "Dedication to Detail," which combines functionality with Japanese aesthetics.
Goldwin Shinsaibashi Exclusive "Osaka T-shirt"
- Product: Osaka T-shirt
- Product No.: GL66701SV
- Price: JPY 11,000 (tax included)
- Colours: Black (BK), White (W)
- Sizes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Goldwin Shinsaibashi
- Store: Goldwin Shinsaibashi
- Address: 2F, Shinsaibashi PARCO, 1-8-3 Shinsaibashisuji, Chuo-ku, Osaka 542-0085, Japan
- Business Hours: 10:00–20:00
The store will offer Goldwin's complete product range, including ski, outdoor, athletic and lifestyle apparel, along with accessories and bags.