Murata And Teijin Frontier Combine To Produce A Piezo-Electric Fabric With Antimicrobial Performance

Image Courtesy of PXhere

June 2020 : Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Nagaokakyo City, Kyoto Prefecture, Chairman of the Board and President: Tsuneo Murata, hereafter: "Murata") and Teijin Frontier Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Kita-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, President Chief Executive Officer: Shinji Nikko, hereafter: "Teijin Frontier") have jointly developed the world's first piezoelectric fabric "PIECLEX" that generates electrical energy and exhibits antimicrobial performance when a motion is applied. 

Also, Murata and Teijin Frontier jointly established PIECLEX Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Yasu City, Shiga Prefecture, President and Representative Director: Daiji Tamakura) on April 1, 2020 as a joint venture company for the purpose of research, development, manufacturing and sales of this fabric. 

 PIECLEX fabric realizes antimicrobial performance by converting motions such as human movement into electrical energy by combining Murata's piezoelectric technology cultivated through development and manufacture of electronic components with Teijin Frontier's fabric technology, which spans from yarns and materials to product manufacturing.

PIECLEX also contribute to protecting the global environment as it uses plant-derived polylactic acid (PLA) as its raw material and does not apply chemical agents and organic solvents.

 PIECLEX Is A Carbon-Neutral, Earth-Friendly Fabric

PIECLEX uses PLA, which is produced by fermented starch extracted from plants to produce lactic acid then bonded. 

Since plants absorb carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and synthesize starch, PIECLEX does not increase the total amount of carbon dioxide that causes global warming. 

 Utilizes Piezoelectric Technology To Achieve Antimicrobial And Deodorant  Functions Without Using Of Chemical Agents

PIECLEX fabric generates electricity by using the expansion and contraction of the fabric produced by human movement or other motions.

This enables antimicrobial and deodorant functions without using chemical agents or organic solvents, helping to reduce the environmental load.

Teijin Frontier's President Chief Executive Officer Shinji Nikko Said About The Joint Venture:

"The piezoelectric fabric developed by PIECLEX Co., Ltd. realizes antimicrobial performance without using chemical agents, etc. It also contributes to environmental load reduction as it applies plant-derived raw materials. PIECLEX integrates Murata and Teijin Frontier’s cutting-edge technologies, and I believe this innovative fabric will be essential for sustainable future lifestyle. By providing fabric that have never existed before, we will contribute to realize bountiful lifestyles and beautiful environment."