Toyobo elastomeric seating material for new Japanese ship

Osaka, Japan – Fibre and textile manufacturer Toyobo Co. Ltd is supplying a 3D elastomer fibre material for a seating application on a newly launched Japanese ship, the company announced 22 Oct.

The “very light, resilient, durable and breathable” Breathair material has been adopted for premier seats on the Aoi, which recently began service between Kobe Port and Takamatsu Port in Japan.

This is the first time the 3D structured material, comprising randomised loops of thermoplastic elastomer filaments, has been used for ship seating, the company said 18 Oct.

The material has already found uses as an alternative to polyurethane foam in mattresses and pillows as well as in seats for motorcycles and railway cars.

The product, according to Toyobo, offers “excellent breathability and body pressure dispersion” due to its unique structure.