Story
message
The challenge of creating
new materials in Hokuriku
Thank you for your interest in QUARTECH.
As we are involved in the textile industry in Hokuriku, I would like to tell you about why we developed this material and what we think about it.
I would also appreciate if you learn a little more about environmental issues which are becoming increasingly serious, and our efforts how to address them.
Moritsune Co., Ltd. Representative Director and President
Tsunehide Mori
prologue
Hokuriku, the center of
the textile industry
The majority of Japanese textiles are made in the Hokuriku region. One of the companies operating the textile industry in Hokuriku is Moritsune Co., Ltd., located in Ishikawa Prefecture. We have been involved in all aspects of yarn dyeing and processing for many years.
Since the bubble economy period, Japan's textile industry has been shrinking, and some of the companies that supported the local community have closed down. Even so, we have worked hard to create superior materials with our enthusiasm that "There must be something that only we can do."
movement
Changes in the environment
surrounding leather products
The environment surrounding leather products has changed significantly in recent years. One is to move away from genuine leather. Genuine leather, which has been popular until now, is now being avoided due to the environmental impact caused by livestock farming and leather processing, as well as animal welfare.
Another issue is the environmental impact caused by synthetic leather. Synthetic leather, which is made from a combination of petroleum and various chemicals, cannot be recycled after use. And in some Western countries, regulations on synthetic leather use is started. I had never thought that there would come a time when leather products would be avoided, so I was surprised by these trends in the world.
decision
A new material that is
neither genuine leather
nor synthetic leather
"What we can do by using the textile technology we've been working on for many years?'' When I realized, I asked myself the question. Therefore, we decided to cooperate with Sanyo Trading Co., Ltd. who is a very reliable partner that handles many domestic and international chemical products.
Then we decided to create a completely new material that combines the leather texture and functionality and environmental friendliness. This was the beginning of our challenge to create fabrics that look just like genuine leather from fibers.
challenge
Continuous new challenges
The textile industry has a well-established division of labor, and until now we have been responsible for upstream processes such as yarn dyeing and processing. In contrast, with this new material, we handle the entire process from thread to fabric. This was an initiative that significantly changed the conventional business style, and it was a series of efforts with a mind "let's learn by trial and error".
Also, shipping the products in the form of fabrics means that we work in a position closer to the consumers than ever before. Thus I felt under a lot of pressure, which was incomparable. Even so, we continued through trial and error with our motivation to create new materials that could make an impact on the world.
potentiality
“The Fourth material”
with infinite possibilities
The material we developed is fabric, but the texture changes greatly depending on the processing. It can have a luxurious texture like genuine leather, or it can have excellent functionality comparable to synthetic leather.
Depending on customization, you can make it closer to the existing three types of material; fabric, genuine leather, and synthetic leather. The "Fourth material" has such like a potential. which we named it "QUARTECH". This was come to mind in someone of our colleagues indeed.
eco-friendly
Environmentally friendly materials
currently required
QUARTECH is made of high-quality polyester fiber and can be recycled again after use. This material fits with the times when the word SDGs is becoming established.We believe that spreads of QUARTECH is equivalent to contributing to environmental conservation. Also companies can demonstrate their attitude for environment by using this new material for their product.
We would like to protect the earth by letting many people know about QUARTECH and then use it. That's our hope.