Innovation in Polyester Fibers: From Silk-Like to New Polyester

In the past several years, "Shingosen," or new synthetic fibers have been developed in Japan. Polyester fibers and fabrics have attained a new status among other synthetic and natural fibers and textiles, and the Japanese have begun to recognize that recent polyester products are comparable to natural fibers such as silk. Shingosen is used typically in synthetic silk applications. The progress and relating key technologies for Shingosen production, which are focused on new silky textiles, are reviewed in this paper.