Technology

Plant-based synthetic fibers
for the next generation

“PlaX™” is a novel carbon neutral material with improved quality and function, comprised of bioplastic PolyLactic Acid (PLA), a plant-derived material such as sugarcane, and additives exclusively developed by Bioworks.

PlaX™ single-handedly overcomes issues that hindered PLA’s popularity, such as poor durability, heat resistance, fiber dyeing during the manufacturing process. PlaX™ has attracted international attention as a new material which can, not only replace existing synthetic fibers and plastic products, but also be used to actively develop new applications, providing a solution to environmental issues and contribute to the realization of a sustainable recycling society.

Feature

Plant-based raw materials

As a bioplastic made from sugar collected from sugarcane and is not dependent on oil, PlaX™ addresses environmental issues such as CO2 reduction and alternatives for depleted resources.

ReduceCO2 Emission

According to the life cycle assessment analysis, an approx. 41% reduction in CO2 emissions during manufacture compared to polyester is achieved. Compared to cotton, a 90% reduction in water consumption during manufacture is achieved.

Circulation

PlaX™ can be biodegrade and recycled under the suitable condition and circumstance.

Anti-microbial, Anti-odor

Lactic acid is produced by fermenting sugar extracted from plants using lactobacillus bacteria. The antibacterial properties of PlaX™ are considered to be derived from lactic acid.

Certification

The “STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX®” certification acquired by Bioworks is an internationally recognized certification for textile products that meet stringent safety standards. The certification is awarded only to products that pass analytical testing for over 1000 harmful chemical substances at authorized testing institutions belonging to the OEKO-TEX® International Community.

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Where is PlaX™ made?

Raw material PLA is made in Thailand. Bioworks produces the original additives and compounds in Japan.

What else is PLA used for?

PLA is mainly used for plastic bag for grocery stores and garbage bag for food waste.

What composition should be listed on the label?

PLA PlaX(US) / Polylactide PlaX(EU) / ポリ乳酸(PlaX) (JP)

Does PlaX™ have any certifications?

TotalCorbion, our PLA supplier, has Bonscuro certification. Bonsucro certifies that sugarcane production meets the most stringent environmental and social requirements to protect factory workers, local soil, water and air quality.

PlaX™ has been certified as 99% bio-based under the USDA(United States Department of Agriculture) Bio Preferred Program.

What precautions should be taken when washing PlaX™ products?

PlaX™ is not resistant to high heat exceeding 130℃ and alkali. Therefore, we recommend the these washing instructions.

Does PlaX™ use the edible part of sugarcane?

The amount of farmland required to produce PLA raw materials in Thailand is only 0.08% of the total, so we believe that the impact on food security at present is minimal. Meanwhile, in the future, we are also considering producing PlaX™ using recycled materials.

What kind of dye stuff can PlaX™ be dyed with?

Disperse dye (110℃-120℃)

Is PlaX™ recyclable?

PlaX™ can be chemically recycled by separating PLA and other materials from the products and recycling each. For that purpose, Bioworks is trying to construct a recycling scheme.

Is PlaX™ degradable in the sea?

PlaX™ cannot meet the “OK biodegradable MARINE standard”, because PlaX™ is a durable product compared with conventional PLA. Bioworks has confirmed that if the clothing has been used for many years and has undergone hydrolysis, it will biodegrade by more than 90% after 400 hours in the sea.

What does Bioworks sell?

Basically, Bioworks sells staples and filament yarns made of modified PLA(PlaX™). However, it is also possible to sell spun yarns and fabrics. It is also possible to collaborate with yarn and textile manufacturers in the customer’s supply chain.

Future

Daily life in a recycling society

Looking into the near future, PlaX™ will permeate our lives and functions like an operating system (OS). Imagine a future where a new social structure is launched in response. In the daily life of that future, a “cycle” is implemented in society.

The meaning of
“trash”


According to the dictionary, “trash” is “waste that has been left over and which is no longer useful.” At that point, it is either burned, buried or set aside. However, this is not the case in a recycling-oriented society. “Trash” according to this premise is recycled and used. It is not useless. It is a material before it is reborn, and is only in a transitional period until the next role.

Most of waste is recycled, and the rest is buried, dissolved, and returned to the soil to play its next role. Rather moving linearly with a beginning and end, in a society where things, people and nature move in a circular pattern, the meaning of trash changes.

“Release (let go)” and “return” are considered from a new viewpoint.

The term “manufacture” is used on the premise of considering what materials are used to make something, how those materials are used, how they are disposed of, and how they enter the next cycle of circulation.

Since recycling is circular, if someone stops the flow, the cycle is broken. That moment most often occurs when you let something go. For this very reason, we are more aware of the timeline when we have to deal with things. When should we let it go and return it to the cycle? The release behavior is different from buying, and may become an enjoyable activity.

An interconnected society through care


In a recycling environment, various factors are connected to each other. Not only are we connected to persons whom we are close to and have high affinity, but we are also forced to interact with persons we have never met before, which is an undeniable necessity. In order to continue such a relationship comfortably, a spirit of concern is considered to be more important than ever before.

Mutual care may include not only humans, but also microorganisms that break things down and the soil, and the logistics to transport things. In addition to other humans, being aware of our relationship with everything as part of the ecosystem, from the natural environment to the things we make, may become the norm.