Toyoshima & Co., Ltd. is engaged in a series of processes from purchasing and selling raw materials, yarns and fabrics from all over the world, to planning and manufacturing of final products, and comprehensively develops business in every process of the fashion industry. In a world where 5G and ICT are spreading and Society 5.0 is being promoted, we are exploring what we can offer to society, and since 2017 we have invested in venture companies with the latest technology from CVC funds.
AMPHICO is a London-based startup founded in 2018 as a spin-out from the Royal College of Art. We are developing functional materials for water sports and outdoor sports by highly integrating material science and design. Moisture-permeable and waterproof fabrics, which are widely used in the current market, have problems such as difficulty in disassembling at the time of disposal and high recycling costs. In addition to being moisture permeable and waterproof, it has excellent water repellency even though it is a non-fluorine material, and can be recycled at low cost.
Since 2019, the global epidemic of the new coronavirus has created restrictions on all aspects of life, and outdoor activities such as camping are attracting more attention, and the outdoor apparel market is growing steadily even in the corona crisis. continue. On the other hand, as society as a whole attaches importance to sustainability and SDGs initiatives, there is a growing need for sustainability in materials and manufacturing methods, in addition to functional aspects such as moisture permeability and waterproofness and water repellency, even in outdoor apparel and miscellaneous goods. I'm here. For example, in October 2022, the state of California in the United States enacted a state law banning the manufacture, distribution, and sale of textile products containing substances of concern to the human body and the environment. Clothing that uses wet films and fluorine-based water repellents will be regulated, and DMF (dimethylformamide)*2 is listed in the list of restricted substances for the REACH regulation*1 announced by the European Commission last year. From December 12, 2024, its use as a solvent for coating and polyurethane film manufacturing will be banned*3.
Against this social backdrop, we will commercialize the next-generation materials developed by AMPHICO, which are both functional and sustainable, through TOYOSHIMA 's various networks. We will contribute to making people's lives richer.
*1Regulations on Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals in the European Union (EU)
*2 Used as a solvent in the production of polyurethane films and is known to be toxic to the human body
*3 Quoted from the December 6, 2022 issue of the Senken Shimbun
■ About Toyoshima & Co., Ltd.,'s CVC
Our company aims to “solve social issues and realize a comfortable life for each and every person, toward a world where all people and things are connected by IoT”. Launched CVC in 2017, we are working with venture companies in a wide range of fields, such as companies that possess the latest technology and companies that develop next-generation environmental materials, to develop services and products to realize them through investment. We are here. Past examples include the development of recovery sleep wear "BAKUNE" that reduces fatigue with TENTIAL Co., Ltd., which develops wellness-related businesses, and AIQ, which visualizes not only superficial information but also data in invisible areas using AI technology. We offer product proposals to corporations and apparel companies, as well as operational support for social media.
Advanced material research and development company
■AMPHICO (registered name: Amphibio Ltd)
Founded in London in 2018. In collaboration with the Royal College of Art, UK, we propose solutions to environmental problems based on the fusion of biomimicry, design, science and engineering. In particular, we focused on the toxicity of fluorine and its impact on the environment, and established a simple and sustainable approach. Applying this to sportswear and outdoor equipment, we propose a fluorine-free material, Amphitex™. Although it is a single material, it is waterproof, breathable, and stretchable, realizing a 100% recyclable material. We will play a part in innovation in efforts for sustainable product life cycles in the accelerating apparel industry.
In April 2022, it won the Terra Carta Design Lab Award, which leads the world's sustainable market, established by King Charles III of the United Kingdom and former Apple Chief Design Officer Sir Jony Ive. In November, the brand name was updated for the market as AMPHICO. We will aim for further acceleration under the slogan 'Everything, One thing'.
https://www.amphico.uk/
