STYLEM TAKISADA-OSAKA CO., LTD. (Headquarters: Naniwa-ku, Osaka; Representative Director and President: Ryuta Taki; hereinafter "Stylem") and Sony Group Corporation (hereinafter "Sony") have been developing relaxing wear made with "Triporous: Space QOL Series" (Triporous applied to textiles) in response to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's (hereinafter "JAXA") "2nd Call for Ideas for Common Challenges and Solutions in Space and Terrestrial Life." As a result, the product has been deemed suitable for installation on the International Space Station (ISS) and is scheduled to be installed on the ISS after 2023.
Until now, Stylem, in collaboration with Sony, has been developing and proposing apparel materials and home textiles using Triporous made from rice husks, applying them to the textile and apparel sector. The company has worked to enrich people's lives by adapting to various situations and addressing social issues. This time, with the aim of improving the quality of life in space, considering the unique space environment and limited resources, and solving various challenges in terrestrial life, Stylem and Sony jointly submitted an application for "Triporous: Space QOL Series" clothing and daily necessities (Triporous applied to textiles) to JAXA's "2nd Call for Ideas for Common Challenges and Solutions in Space and Terrestrial Life."
Subsequently, in November 2021, "Triporous: Space QOL Series" (relaxing wear, innerwear, towels, pouches) was selected as an idea aiming for ISS installation, and development has been progressing, taking into account its practicality in space. During this process, astronaut Satoshi Furukawa also provided feedback on the prototypes, assuming their use in the space environment. In July 2022, after a rigorous review by JAXA, the relaxing wear, one of the items in this series, was determined to be suitable for installation on the ISS and is scheduled to be installed on the ISS after 2023. Development of innerwear, towels, and pouches continues, with the aim of their installation on the ISS after 2024.
■ What is Triporous™?
*Triporous is a trademark of Sony Group Corporation.
・Sony Official Website: https://www.sony.com/ja/SonyInfo/triporous/
・Stylem's initiatives regarding Triporous: https://www.stylem.co.jp/sustainability/initiative/triporous/
■ About "Triporous: Space QOL Series" Relaxing Wear
With "comfort, pleasantness, and cleanliness" as keywords, we developed two types of wear: long-sleeved shirts and long pants, and short-sleeved shirts and shorts. The long-sleeved shirts and long pants are expected to be used during sleep and normal activities, while the short-sleeved shirts and shorts are expected to be used during exercise.
・Deodorizing and antibacterial properties: By applying Triporous to textiles, deodorizing and antibacterial effects are achieved, allowing the wear to be used hygienically.
・Comfort and wearability:
―Carefully selected raw materials are combined to achieve a pleasant feel against the skin. Fabrics and spinning methods are designed to be quick-drying, pursuing wearability and comfort. It also boasts a high UV protection rate.
―For the planning of the relaxing wear, Mizuno Corporation (hereinafter "Mizuno") was involved, incorporating Mizuno's unique wear design technology, "Dynamotion Fit"(*), to create a wear design that leverages sportswear knowledge for ease of movement and comfortable wear that minimizes stress. Furthermore, in the microgravity environment of space, fluid tends to accumulate in the upper body, making body shape changes more likely. Therefore, the waist can be adjusted to accommodate body shape changes. Additionally, all pockets are designed to close completely to prevent stored items from floating away in microgravity.
*Dynamotion Fit: A wear design that pursues "ease of movement during exercise" by analyzing the movements of various sports using 3D computer graphics and based on anatomy.
■ Future Developments
The "Triporous: Space QOL Series" relaxing wear is scheduled to be installed on the ISS after 2023, and we are also considering general sales so that consumers can purchase and wear it.
Stylem conducts its business activities under the purpose of "Bringing excitement to people, solutions to industries, and sustainability to the environment and society," to realize its vision of "Coloring the world with each person's uniqueness." The development and proposal of products using Triporous are initiatives aligned with our vision and purpose. We will continue to refine our internal creative capabilities while actively collaborating with other companies to contribute to solving social issues, reducing the environmental burden, and creating new markets and needs to enrich people's lives.
■ Reference URLs
・ Call for Ideas for Common Challenges and Solutions in Space and Terrestrial Life https://iss.jaxa.jp/med/partner/71532.html
・ "THINK SPACE LIFE" - a business co-creation platform to improve life in space and on Earth by addressing challenges in space living https://aerospacebiz.jaxa.jp/solution/j-sparc/projects/think-space-life/
[STYLEM TAKISADA-OSAKA CO., LTD.]
A specialized textile trading company founded in 1864. Operates in four areas: textiles, raw materials, apparel products, and lifestyle. Expanding globally, with its textile business having established a top share in the domestic market. In recent years, the company has strongly emphasized its sustainability policy and is challenging itself to develop new products and services. This initiative will be actively promoted as a sustainability effort that encourages external collaboration. URL: https://www.stylem.co.jp/