Plant-derived next-generation synthetic fiber "PlaX" adopted for limited edition T-shirts at "Goldwin Shinsaibashi"

Bioworks Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Soraku-gun, Kyoto Prefecture, President and CEO: Koji Sakamoto, hereinafter "Bioworks") announced that its plant-derived next-generation synthetic fiber "PlaX (Purakusu)" has been adopted for limited edition souvenir T-shirts of the original brand "Goldwin," operated by Goldwin Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, President and CEO: Takao Watanabe).

The souvenir T-shirts using PlaX will be available as limited edition items for "Goldwin Shinsaibashi," Goldwin's second store in the Kansai region, which will open on July 31, 2026.

Background of PlaX Adoption for Souvenir T-shirts

Goldwin pursues functionality and manufacturing rooted in Japanese aesthetics, guided by the spirit of "Dedication to Detail" that has been cherished since its founding.

As the souvenir collection is seen and handled by many customers, there was a desire for the materials used to embody Goldwin's identity and the spirit of "Dedication to Detail." With this in mind, material selection was considered for the opening of Goldwin's new store.

As a result, a fabric combining cotton, which is familiar and reassuring to customers, with "PlaX," a plant-derived synthetic fiber that replaces petroleum-derived materials, was adopted. The fabric developed this time realizes comfortable wearability by placing "PlaX" on the skin side, leveraging its "material-derived antibacterial and deodorizing function" that suppresses the growth of bacteria on the fibers, which are the source of odor.

"PlaX," independently developed by Bioworks, is a synthetic fiber derived from plant-based raw materials such as sugarcane. In addition to its environmental performance as a plant-derived material, "PlaX" possesses functionalities not found in conventional synthetic fibers, such as antibacterial and deodorizing properties.

"PlaX" was evaluated as a material that embodies the functionality and Japanese aesthetics pursued by Goldwin, and was adopted for its ability to realize product manufacturing with attention to detail.

Details of "Osaka T-shirt" Limited Edition for Goldwin Shinsaibashi

As a limited edition item for Goldwin Shinsaibashi, a souvenir collection featuring a logo design by graphic designer Shun Sasaki will be offered. The souvenir T-shirt uses a fabric blended with cotton and "PlaX," with "PlaX" placed on the skin side to provide antibacterial and deodorizing functions that suppress the growth of odor-causing bacteria on the fibers. It is a fabric that provides a sense of security, being less sheer when worn alone and not clinging to the body line.

Furthermore, by adopting the air-spinning technology "MVS®," it achieves comfortable wearability by suppressing fuzz, reducing pilling, and minimizing changes in texture due to washing or friction.

[Details of Limited Edition Souvenir Collection]

Osaka T-shirt

Product Number: GL66701SV

Price: 11,000 yen (tax included)

Colors: BK (Black), W (White)

Sizes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Details of "Goldwin Shinsaibashi"

Store Name: Goldwin Shinsaibashi

Location: 2F, Shinsaibashi PARCO, 1-8-3 Shinsaibashisuji, Chuo-ku, Osaka 542-0085

Business Hours: 10:00 - 20:00

Store Area: Approximately 59.8 tsubo

Items Handled: All categories of Goldwin brand products, including ski, outdoor, athletic, and lifestyle wear, accessories, and bags.

Instagram Account: @goldwin_shinsaibashi

Goldwin Brand Site: https://www.goldwin-global.com

What is PlaX?

"PlaX" is a new material that enhances quality and functionality by combining biomass material "polylactic acid (PLA)" derived from plants such as sugarcane with our company's proprietary plant-derived additives, and designing and controlling the molecular structure at a micro-scale.

As a material that contributes to reducing environmental impact, it is attracting global attention not only as an alternative to petroleum-derived materials like polyester but also as a highly versatile material.

《Features of PlaX Fiber》

・Compared to polyester, CO2 emissions during long fiber production are reduced by 70%, and for short fibers (raw cotton), by 50%.

・Compared to cotton, water usage from raw materials to yarn production is reduced by 92%.

・Possesses "biodegradability," decomposing into water and CO2 by microorganisms in industrial composting environments.

・Research and development are progressing towards realizing resource circulation (closed-loop) with high affinity for "chemical recycling," which reproduces equivalent materials from waste.

・Suppresses CO2 emissions during incineration and does not generate harmful substances such as dioxins.

・Exhibits deodorizing effects by suppressing the proliferation of Moraxella and Staphylococcus aureus on the fibers due to its lactic acid-derived antibacterial effect.

Company Overview of Goldwin Inc.

Goldwin Inc. is a lifestyle creative company that supports people's new challenges and unlocks their potential, primarily in the fields of sports and outdoors, based on three pillars: manufacturing, experience creation, and environmental creation. While conducting daily research on materials, techniques, technology, and the environment, we share the wisdom and ideas of diverse brands with varied backgrounds and expertise throughout Goldwin to continuously evolve manufacturing and communication. We aim to maximize human performance from sports to daily life, while minimizing environmental impact and enriching nature, the field where humans live and play. We will proactively create a better future, not waiting for others.

Corporate Site URL: https://about.goldwin.co.jp/

Company Overview of Bioworks Co., Ltd.

Bioworks is a material creation company that develops and manufactures the plant-derived next-generation synthetic fiber "PlaX" using polylactic acid as a raw material, with the vision of "a new ecosystem where the joy of creation and the richness of wearing continue."

Since its founding in 2015, based on the knowledge accumulated through polylactic acid research and development, the company expanded into the fiber business in 2021. As a material that plays a part in the fashion industry's shift away from petroleum-derived raw materials, it is attracting attention from domestic and international textile companies and brands, and adoption has begun.

Bioworks Co., Ltd.

Representative: President and CEO Koji Sakamoto

Headquarters: 7F Keihanna Plaza Lab Bldg., 1-7 Kōdai, Seika-chō, Soraku-gun, Kyoto

Established: 2015

Business Activities: Manufacturing and sales of modified polylactic acid compounds (PlaX) and products, businesses promoting resource circulation, etc.

Bioworks WEB: https://www.bioworks.co.jp/

bio official Online Store: https://bio-plax.com/