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The "Super Imitation Cotton" series of fiber products combines the moisture-absorbing, soft, and warm properties of cotton with the excellent mechanical strength, heat resistance, and colorfastness of polyester. These fibers are designed to offer a more comfortable and versatile alternative to traditional polyester, making them ideal for a wide range of textile applications.
In 2012, China produced 37.92 million tons of chemical fibers, with polyester accounting for 30.57 million tons—80% of the total chemical fiber output and over 70% of the world's polyester production. This massive scale highlights the importance of further improving the technical standards in the polyester industry. Developing a new generation of polyester (imitation cotton) fibers that are versatile, high-quality, energy-efficient, and low-emission is not only essential for the industry’s sustainable growth but also a strategic move to expand its market presence.
In 2011, the Chemical Fiber Industry Technology Innovation Strategic Alliance launched the national “Twelfth Five-Year†Science and Technology Support Program titled “Technology Development of Super-Imitation Cotton Synthetic Fiber and Its Textile Industrialization.†The project involved 27 enterprises across the polyester supply chain working together to overcome challenges. After two years of dedicated effort, the project successfully introduced “super-imitation cotton†fibers to the market. We spoke with Pan Jufang, Director of the Deep Processing Research Office at the China Textile Science Research Institute, about the progress and future of this initiative.
Pan Jufang explained that prior to the project, the institute had already spent 3–4 years developing next-generation polyester fibers with improved performance. The initial goal was to create differentiated products that could enhance the competitiveness of China’s massive polyester industry. As one of the project participants, the institute played a key role in organizing collaboration between upstream and downstream companies, forming a dedicated development team, and coordinating research efforts across different stages of the industrial chain.
The project required expertise in multiple areas, including polymerization, spinning, weaving, dyeing, and finishing. Since no single company could handle all processes, the institute worked closely with various partners to ensure seamless integration. It also had some in-house production equipment, allowing for trial manufacturing within the institute.
The development process started small, gradually scaling up from a few tons to hundreds of tons as the technology matured. One notable product developed through this collaboration was the hydrophilic anti-UV staple fiber, jointly created by the institute and Yizheng Chemical Fiber Co., Ltd. and Jiangyin Huahong Chemical Fiber Co., Ltd.
To support the commercialization of these fibers, the project registered the trademark “Yi Mian,†which is shared among all alliance members. Products meeting the “super-imitation cotton†standard can use this brand. The institute is also working on setting industry standards, collecting experimental data, and establishing quality control systems to ensure the reliability and consistency of the new fibers.
Compared to earlier “imitation cotton†products, which were primarily physically modified to alter fiber shape without changing their core properties, the “super-imitation cotton†project uses advanced polymerization modification. This involves re-engineering the molecular structure of polyester, leading to significant improvements in performance such as moisture absorption, breathability, quick-drying, anti-static, anti-pilling, flame retardancy, antibacterial, and UV protection.
Looking ahead, the project aims to promote the widespread adoption of “Yi Mian†fiber products, build a strong market brand, and increase product value. By focusing on green technology, consumer comfort, and sustainable development, the project is well-positioned to meet growing market demands and drive the evolution of the polyester industry.