Evonik presents women’s fashion made 100 % of biopolyamide fibers at a plastics trade fair in Düsseldorf, Germany. The high-tech textile fibers have maximum wearing comfort; they are extremely light, flexible, and breathable. Processed into high-quality fabrics, they have an odor-reducing effect thanks to their lasting natural bacteriostatic characteristics. In addition, they dry quickly and require no ironing. The fibers can be processed in all textile applications, including an Italian designer fabric for evening gowns, functional sporting clothes, and durable upholstery materials.

The fibers are produced from VESTAMID^® Terra, a long-chain AABB biopolyamide that is obtained from the seeds of the castor bean plant. Castor bean plants can withstand long periods of drought, so they are cultivated in dry areas which are not suitable for any other form of agriculture.

The product development process profited from Evonik’s technical expertise in the area of high-performance plastics as well as the fiber-processing experience of Fulgar, an Italian fiber manufacturer, which markets the biopolyamide fibers under the brand name EVO^®.

With VESTAMID^® Terra, Evonik offers three variants of biopolyamides, PA 610, PA 1010, and PA 1012, which differ in their profile of properties and close gaps in the previously available range of properties of polyamides. They are long-lasting, durable, and meet the requirements of applications, for example in the automotive, sports, and textile industries. Typical applications of VESTAMID^® Terra products are injection molding, fibers, powders, extrusion, and films.

Photo: Fabrics made from the biopolyamide fibers EVO® based on VESTAMID^® Terra (Source: Fulgar).

• Evonik Industries AG, Essen, Germany
• Fulgar, Castel Goffredo, Italy