Plant-Derived Next-Generation Synthetic Fiber "PlaX" Adopted for Staff Uniforms at "SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026" Hosted by Tokyo Metropolitan Government
Bioworks' plant-derived next-generation synthetic fiber "PlaX" has been adopted for staff uniforms at "SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026," an event hosted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. PlaX is recognized as a sustainable material, valued for both its environmental impact reduction and functional properties.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 28, 2026 at 00:30
- 🔍 Collected: April 27, 2026 at 16:01
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 28, 2026 at 01:15 (9h 13m after Collected)
Bioworks Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Soraku-gun, Kyoto; Representative Director and CEO: Koji Sakamoto; hereinafter "Bioworks") has developed "PlaX," a plant-derived next-generation synthetic fiber, which has been adopted for the staff uniform T-shirts at "SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026," Asia's largest global innovation conference hosted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
Bioworks has been selected as a "SusHi Tech Global Startups" participant, recognized as a startup with excellent technological capabilities and the potential to solve social issues, with expectations for growth in the global market.
Background of Adoption
Globally, textile production continues to increase with population growth. Among these, petroleum-derived synthetic fibers account for approximately 60% of the textile market, and their production has continued to increase over the past 40 years.
However, petroleum, the raw material, is a finite resource, and its manufacturing process emits large amounts of CO2, making the transition to sustainable materials an urgent issue in the apparel industry.
"PlaX," developed by Bioworks, is a synthetic fiber made from plant-derived raw materials such as sugarcane. It is being developed for various textile products as a substitute for petroleum-derived materials.
Furthermore, "PlaX" possesses antibacterial and deodorizing properties derived from its material, which is a unique feature not found in conventional synthetic fibers.
SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026 is an international event hosted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, themed on solving urban issues through sustainability and technology. "PlaX" was adopted for this event because it aligns well with its philosophy, and its ability to balance environmental impact reduction and functionality was highly evaluated.
Bioworks will continue to contribute to the realization of a sustainable society by reducing the environmental burden in the textile industry and creating new material value.
PlaX T-shirt Product Overview
The T-shirts adopted for this event use a blended material* combining cotton and PlaX. By leveraging the natural texture of natural materials and adding the functionality characteristic of PlaX, a comfortable wearing experience is achieved.
This product boasts excellent quick-drying properties, maintaining comfort even during long hours of wear at events or in active situations. Additionally, it has material-derived antibacterial and deodorizing properties, making it suitable for daily use.
*Material composition: 70% cotton, 30% PlaX
What is PlaX?
"PlaX" is a new material that combines polylactic acid (PLA), a biomass material derived from plants such as sugarcane, with our unique plant-derived additives, and is designed and controlled at the micro-scale molecular structure to enhance quality and function.
As a material that contributes to reducing environmental impact, it is attracting global attention not only as a substitute for petroleum-derived polyesters but also as a highly versatile material.
《Features of PlaX Fiber》
- Compared to polyester, CO2 emissions are reduced by 70% in long fiber manufacturing and 50% in short fiber (raw cotton).
- Compared to cotton, water usage from raw material to yarn manufacturing is reduced by 92%.
- Possesses "biodegradability" where it decomposes into water and CO2 by microorganisms in an industrial compost environment.
- Has high affinity with "chemical recycling" which re-produces equivalent materials from waste, with research and development progressing towards realizing a resource circulation (closed-loop).
- Suppresses CO2 emissions during incineration and does not generate harmful substances such as dioxins.
- Lactic acid-derived antibacterial effect inhibits the proliferation of Moraxella and Staphylococcus aureus on fibers, exhibiting a deodorizing effect.
Bioworks Co., Ltd. Company Profile
Bioworks is a material creation company with the vision of "a new ecosystem where the joy of creating and the richness of wearing continue," engaged in the manufacturing and sales of "PlaX," a plant-derived next-generation synthetic fiber made from polylactic acid.
Since its establishment in 2015, based on the knowledge accumulated through research and development of polylactic acid, it expanded into the fiber business in 2021. As a material that plays a role in shifting away from petroleum-derived raw materials in the fashion industry, it has attracted attention from domestic and international textile companies and brands, and adoption has begun.
■ Bioworks Co., Ltd.
Representative: Koji Sakamoto, Representative Director and CEO
Headquarters: Keihanna Plaza Lab Building 7F, 1-7 Hikaridai, Seika-cho, Soraku-gun, Kyoto
Established: 2015
Business activities: Manufacturing and sales of modified polylactic acid compounds (PlaX) and products, and businesses promoting resource circulation.
■ Bioworks WEB: https://www.bioworks.co.jp/
■ bio Official Online Store: https://bio-plax.com/
Bioworks has been selected as a "SusHi Tech Global Startups" participant, recognized as a startup with excellent technological capabilities and the potential to solve social issues, with expectations for growth in the global market.
Background of Adoption
Globally, textile production continues to increase with population growth. Among these, petroleum-derived synthetic fibers account for approximately 60% of the textile market, and their production has continued to increase over the past 40 years.
However, petroleum, the raw material, is a finite resource, and its manufacturing process emits large amounts of CO2, making the transition to sustainable materials an urgent issue in the apparel industry.
"PlaX," developed by Bioworks, is a synthetic fiber made from plant-derived raw materials such as sugarcane. It is being developed for various textile products as a substitute for petroleum-derived materials.
Furthermore, "PlaX" possesses antibacterial and deodorizing properties derived from its material, which is a unique feature not found in conventional synthetic fibers.
SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026 is an international event hosted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, themed on solving urban issues through sustainability and technology. "PlaX" was adopted for this event because it aligns well with its philosophy, and its ability to balance environmental impact reduction and functionality was highly evaluated.
Bioworks will continue to contribute to the realization of a sustainable society by reducing the environmental burden in the textile industry and creating new material value.
PlaX T-shirt Product Overview
The T-shirts adopted for this event use a blended material* combining cotton and PlaX. By leveraging the natural texture of natural materials and adding the functionality characteristic of PlaX, a comfortable wearing experience is achieved.
This product boasts excellent quick-drying properties, maintaining comfort even during long hours of wear at events or in active situations. Additionally, it has material-derived antibacterial and deodorizing properties, making it suitable for daily use.
*Material composition: 70% cotton, 30% PlaX
What is PlaX?
"PlaX" is a new material that combines polylactic acid (PLA), a biomass material derived from plants such as sugarcane, with our unique plant-derived additives, and is designed and controlled at the micro-scale molecular structure to enhance quality and function.
As a material that contributes to reducing environmental impact, it is attracting global attention not only as a substitute for petroleum-derived polyesters but also as a highly versatile material.
《Features of PlaX Fiber》
- Compared to polyester, CO2 emissions are reduced by 70% in long fiber manufacturing and 50% in short fiber (raw cotton).
- Compared to cotton, water usage from raw material to yarn manufacturing is reduced by 92%.
- Possesses "biodegradability" where it decomposes into water and CO2 by microorganisms in an industrial compost environment.
- Has high affinity with "chemical recycling" which re-produces equivalent materials from waste, with research and development progressing towards realizing a resource circulation (closed-loop).
- Suppresses CO2 emissions during incineration and does not generate harmful substances such as dioxins.
- Lactic acid-derived antibacterial effect inhibits the proliferation of Moraxella and Staphylococcus aureus on fibers, exhibiting a deodorizing effect.
Bioworks Co., Ltd. Company Profile
Bioworks is a material creation company with the vision of "a new ecosystem where the joy of creating and the richness of wearing continue," engaged in the manufacturing and sales of "PlaX," a plant-derived next-generation synthetic fiber made from polylactic acid.
Since its establishment in 2015, based on the knowledge accumulated through research and development of polylactic acid, it expanded into the fiber business in 2021. As a material that plays a role in shifting away from petroleum-derived raw materials in the fashion industry, it has attracted attention from domestic and international textile companies and brands, and adoption has begun.
■ Bioworks Co., Ltd.
Representative: Koji Sakamoto, Representative Director and CEO
Headquarters: Keihanna Plaza Lab Building 7F, 1-7 Hikaridai, Seika-cho, Soraku-gun, Kyoto
Established: 2015
Business activities: Manufacturing and sales of modified polylactic acid compounds (PlaX) and products, and businesses promoting resource circulation.
■ Bioworks WEB: https://www.bioworks.co.jp/
■ bio Official Online Store: https://bio-plax.com/