Teijin Frontier Co., Ltd. has announced a breakthrough in textile technology: a next-generation comfort material designed to combat the discomfort of heat and sweat. This innovative fabric uniquely combines contact cooling with sweat stickiness prevention, addressing a long-standing challenge in performance apparel.
The fabric’s secret lies in its dual-layer, knit construction. The inner layer utilizes a strategic blend of Teijin Frontier’s newly developed hydrophobic WAVERON™ yarn and conventional hydrophilic WAVERON™ yarn. This dynamic duo works in tandem: the hydrophilic yarn actively absorbs perspiration, while the hydrophobic yarn simultaneously prevents that moisture from clinging to the skin, ensuring a dry and comfortable feel. The outer layer then efficiently disperses the absorbed perspiration to the exterior of the fabric.
This development comes at a crucial time, as global warming intensifies the demand for high-performance apparel capable of handling extreme temperatures. Retailers in the sports and outdoor sectors are increasingly seeking garments with multiple functionalities, including contact cooling and effective perspiration management. Previously, achieving both contact cooling (requiring increased skin contact) and sweat stickiness prevention (requiring reduced skin contact) in a single textile presented a significant technical hurdle.
Teijin Frontier overcame this challenge by drawing on the strengths of two existing technologies. The first, TRIPLEDRY™ CARAT™, is a specially structured polyester fabric that balances perspiration absorption and sweat adhesion prevention through the precise placement of hydrophobic and hydrophilic yarns. The second, WAVERON™, is a full dull, non-crimped yarn renowned for its contact-cooling properties. WAVERON™ yarn incorporates titanium oxide, which facilitates heat transfer from the skin to the fibre, creating a cooling sensation. Its flat cross-sectional shape also maximizes skin contact area, while the non-crimped nature of the yarn enhances breathability by creating ample air gaps between fibres. The combination of these technologies has resulted in a fabric that delivers both cooling and dryness.
The new material is targeted towards the 2026 spring/summer sports and outdoor apparel season, with Teijin Frontier aiming to sell 100,000 meters of the fabric in advance of the season launch, targeting both domestic and international markets. The company plans to expand its application into other functional apparel categories, including fashion clothing, with projections of 1 million meters in annual sales by fiscal year 2028.
Adding to its appeal, the new material is made from 100 per cent recycled polyester and features a PFAS-free water-repellent finish, demonstrating Teijin Frontier’s commitment to sustainable textile innovation. This new fabric promises to offer a significant leap forward in comfort and performance for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts facing increasingly challenging weather conditions.
