As various efforts are underway around the world to make effective use of limited resources and realize a society that recycles and uses them in a sustainable way, one material that is attracting attention is CURETEX ( Curetex).

This sustainable material is made from 100% Japanese paper, and has been exhibited at the Heimtextil exhibition held in Germany in January 2024, the 2024AW Première Vision Paris , and the Fashion World Tokyo FaW TOKYO Sustainable Fashion EXPO in October 2023, where it has received a positive reception.

Let's take a closer look at the appeal of CURETEX, a material that will lead the future and solve the waste disposal problem of unused clothing that the world is facing.

As various initiatives are underway around the world to realize a society that makes effective use of limited resources and recycles them in a sustainable manner, CURETEX, a material that can contribute to the future, is attracting attention.

CURETEX was exhibiting at the Heimtextil exhibition held in Germany in January 2024, the 2024 AW Première Vision Paris and the Fashion World Tokyo FaW TOKYO Sustainable Fashion Expo in October 2023, where it received a good reputation. This is a sustainable 100% Japanese paper material that has been well received.

Let's take a closer look at the appeal of CURETEX as a material that can solve the problem of waste disposal of unused clothing, which the world is facing, and which is the future.

The bark of Manila hemp, a perennial plant that grows stems and leaves every year, was chosen as the raw material for the washi thread used to make Curetex.

It grows in a short cycle of about three years after planting the seedlings, so it puts less strain on the natural environment and is a delicate fiber that is highly strong.

Our commitment to creating unique washi fabric doesn't end with the choice of raw materials.

We also pay special attention to the twisting process, slowly twisting the yarn in a dry manner and then untwisting it. By repeating this process, the yarn becomes stronger and also fluffier and softer.

In addition, we have used a unique manufacturing process to make the surface of the yarn porous and increase its surface area, making it easier for microorganisms to become entangled and speeding up biodegradation.

A commitment to raw materials that puts the environment first

The raw material chosen for the washi yarn used to make CURETEX is the bark of Manila hemp, a perennial plant that grows stems and leaves every year.

It grows in a short cycle of about three years after the seedlings are planted, so there is little burden on the natural environment, and although it is a delicate fiber, it has high strength.

Our commitment to creating a unique washi fabric does not end with the selection of raw materials.

The twisting process is also particular: the yarn is twisted slowly in a dry process and then untwisted. Repeated spinning in a series of processes increases the strength of the yarn and makes it fluffy and soft.

In addition, a unique process is used to make the surface of the yarn more porous and increase its surface area, making it easier for micro-organisms to get involved and speed up biodegradation.

A major advantage of Curetex is its rapid biodegradation.

Although it depends on the climate and soil conditions, it takes more than a year for regular cotton to biodegrade, but Curetex can be biodegraded in as little as one month if buried in the soil, and on average in 3 to 6 months!

Compared to other natural materials, it returns to the soil incredibly quickly and revitalizes the soil just like fertilizer.

Speedy return to the soil

CURETEX's great strength is its speed of biodegradation.

Depending on the climate and soil conditions, it takes more than a year for ordinary cotton to biodegrade, whereas Cure-Tex can be buried in the soil as early as one month, and on average three to six months! Compared to other natural materials, it returns to the soil at an astonishingly fast rate and revitalizes the soil as if it were fertilizer.

Curetex fabric residue and unnecessary products generated during the manufacturing process are collected and spread on our own farms to reuse for soil revitalization.

In the rich soil containing biodegraded Curetex, nutritious vegetables are grown and harvested, and are then cooked and processed in a kitchen run by a partner company. Vegetable peels and scraps from cooking are also used as fertilizer on the farm. Everything is used without waste.

Circulation system to reduce waste to zero

Residual Cure-Tex cloth and unwanted products from the manufacturing process are collected and sprayed on the company's own farms, where they are reused to revitalize the soil.

In the rich soil containing biodegraded Cure-Tex, nutritious vegetables are grown, harvested, cooked and processed in kitchens operated by partner companies. Vegetable peels and shavings from the cooking process are also used as fertilizer on the farm. Everything is used up without waste .

The safe, secure and tasty food products produced in this way, which are Halal, vegan and gluten-free, are sold on KOWA's online website, Happiness Direct. The process starts with growing the raw materials, making the products, collecting them, returning them to the soil and eating the vegetables grown there. Through CURETEX, we have achieved a system of circulation in a circular manner.

It has a crisp feel like linen and a cool feel. It is made of a firm material, but is light to wear and gets softer with each wash, becoming more comfortable against your skin. Its light texture makes it easy to wear on its own.

At the Heimtextil Exhibition, Curetex curtains were exhibited, taking advantage of the inherent properties of washi paper, such as UV protection, humidity control, insect repellent, antibacterial properties, and deodorization. At the same time, when the exhibition staff wore the washed samue, the softness of the washi fabric, the unique Japanese texture, and the environmentally friendly circular system resonated with the visitors, eliciting a great response.

Comfort to the skin.

The crisp feel of hemp material and cool comfort. The texture of the fabric makes it easy to wear alone.

At the Heimtextil exhibition, Curetex curtains that utilise the inherent properties of Japanese paper materials, such as UV-cut, moisture control, insect repellency, antibacterial and odour-elimination, are on display. At the same time, the softness of the washi fabric , the uniquely Japanese feel of the material and the environmentally friendly circular system resonated with visitors when the exhibition staff wore the product-washed samue.