Bioworks Corporation recently announced that its PlaX plant-based synthetic fiber has been incorporated into the outerwear collections of The North Face and Neutralworks, both owned by Goldwin Japan.
PlaX is a commercially viable alternative to synthetic functional fibers. After three years of development, it has undergone rigorous testing, refinement, and validation for high-quality apparel applications.
PlaX uses proprietary technology to modify polylactic acid derived from renewable resources, designed to meet the demanding functional and aesthetic requirements of premium outdoor and wellness brands.
Compared to conventional polyester, PlaX reduces CO2 emissions by approximately 70% in filament production and by approximately 50% in staple fiber production. Throughout the entire process from raw material processing to yarn production, PlaX uses approximately 90% less water than cotton. Furthermore, PlaX is biodegradable into water and CO2 under industrial composting conditions and is compatible with emerging chemical recycling processes.
Bioworks and Goldwin have been collaborating on product development using PlaX since 2022. The fleece jacket made with PlaX is now available as part of the Fall/Winter 2025 collections for Goldwin's brands "THE NORTH FACE" and "NEUTRALWORKS".
To achieve commercialization, the two companies undertook extensive prototyping and testing. To meet Goldwin's high-quality standards, particularly in terms of dyeability and durability, they collaborated to review yarn processing conditions and designs, and conducted repeated testing with textile manufacturers and dye factories to continuously improve the material. Following these continuous quality improvement efforts, the two companies spent approximately three years preparing for practical application, ultimately successfully adopting the material.
The two companies will continue to deepen their collaboration in materials research and product design, aiming to accelerate the development of sustainable manufacturing.
Bioworks stated that Goldwin's adoption of PlaX reflects a broader strategic shift in the outdoor and lifestyle sector towards materials that reduce environmental impact without compromising technical performance. Bioworks will continue to focus on integrating materials science with product design to support sustainable manufacturing and reduce lifecycle impact.
