Adopting Toray's 'NANODESIGN®': The birth of 'SAKASANANO', the 'strongest water-repellent umbrella' mastering sustainability with a reverse structure x fabric replacement function

Waterfront Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director: Satoshi Yoshino), celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, has announced "SAKASANANO," the strongest water-repellent umbrella adopting the advanced technology of Toray Industries, Inc., which is also celebrating its milestone 100th anniversary. In recent years, specific PFAS (PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, etc.), which have been widely used for water-repellent processing, have raised concerns about their impact on the environment and human body, and global regulations are progressing. As efforts to reduce environmental impact are required, it has become difficult to achieve the high water repellency of the past, and the entire textile industry is facing this challenge.

"SAKASANANO" faces this challenge head-on and, as the industry's first product applying Toray's "NANODESIGN®" technology to an umbrella, achieves high water repellency without relying solely on water repellents. Furthermore, by featuring a structure that allows the fabric to be replaced, it proposes a new value of an "umbrella you can cultivate" that can be used for a long time.

- Changing Rain Quality and Required Water Repellency -

In recent years, the precipitation environment in Japan has changed significantly. While the number of rainy days is on a long-term declining trend, the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere has increased due to global warming, and the frequency of heavy rain in a short time is increasing. * It is shifting to an extreme climate where "the number of rainy days decreases, but when it rains, it is intense."

Amid such climate change, high-quality umbrellas that can be used comfortably even on harsh rainy days have become an existence that meets modern premium needs by achieving both practicality and satisfaction of ownership at a high level. On the other hand, as the review of water-repellent processing progresses from the perspective of environmental consideration, it is difficult to achieve the high water-repellent performance of the past, which was an area where the umbrella industry needed to consider countermeasures for the future. Against this background, Waterfront faced this issue directly and began the challenge of creating a new ideal for water-repellent umbrellas.

* Japan Meteorological Agency "Annual frequency of 1-hour precipitation of 50mm or more, 80mm or more, and 100mm or more nationwide (AMeDAS)"

SAKASANANO: An umbrella that delivers water-repellent function at the highest level

The strongest long umbrella that achieves high water repellency using cutting-edge technology and sustainability through its reverse structure and fabric replacement function. It is an item for those who seek authenticity, combining the original function of an umbrella with a sophisticated design.

1. Next-generation water repellency that does not rely on water repellents with high environmental impact

Adopts Toray's new patented technology "NANODESIGN®". NanoDesign is an innovative technology that can freely control the thickness and cross-sectional shape of fibers at the nano level. By combining the surface shape and thickness of the thread, microscopic unevenness is created on the thread surface, and its unique structure enhances water repellency. As a result, it achieves the highest level of water repellency where water drops roll right off without relying solely on "water repellents".

2. Adopts a reverse structure so it doesn't get wet or dirty

Even with highly water-repellent fabrics, dirt and hand oils adhere over repeated use, and the water-repellent performance gradually declines. As a result, there are many cases where they end up being replaced. To address this issue, "SAKASANANO" adopts a reverse structure where hands are less likely to touch the water-repellent surface. This aims to improve the sustainability of the water-repellent performance. Because the wet side folds inward when the umbrella is closed, you won't get your hands or clothes wet, making it comfortable to use when getting in and out of a car or on a train. It also leads to consideration for not getting yourself or the people around you wet. Furthermore, it retains the traditional functionality of a reverse umbrella, such as not needing an umbrella stand thanks to its self-standing structure.

3. An umbrella you cultivate with replaceable fabric

Even with water-repellent performance that declines over years of use, "SAKASANANO" maintains its function by simply replacing the fabric. You can continue to use it for a long time without throwing away the frame. About 80 million umbrellas are discarded annually in Japan, and many of them are disposed of without being recycled. * In addition, because umbrellas are difficult to handle, they are often abandoned by being left behind or forgotten. This situation leads to a social problem of environmental burden as waste.
This product contributes to reducing such environmental impact by enabling fabric replacement. We also plan to sell only the fabric in the future, allowing you to easily replace it yourself. While being sustainable, we propose a new ideal for umbrellas as a piece that the user can be fully satisfied with.

* The problem of umbrella disposal on the environment (Salesian Polytechnic, Department of Design, Value Creation Laboratory)

4. Streamlined design

"SAKASANANO" was designed by product designer Yota Kakuda into a design that strips away waste and pursues rationality as a tool.