South Korea-based textiles maker Toray Chemical Korea Inc. said on Wednesday that it has succeeded in developing micro-scale hollow fibres that can replace fillers such as goose feather for winter jackets.

According to a report in Pulse, a Korean business website, Toray Chemical Korea’s micro-scale hollow fibre is made by combining two types of polyester polymers and has a spiral shaped fibre structure, or three-dimensional crimp, making it possible to enclose more air to retain heat better.

“The company succeeded in developing a new product by maximizing the advantages of natural fabrics and fixing the weakness through high-level textile processing technology,” Pulse quoted an unnamed Toray Chemical Korea official as saying.

The special fibre is soft and light in weight as well as thermal that it can be widely used to make fillers for various products from winter outdoor sports jackets to beddings such as comforters and pillows. Also, the micro-scale hollow fibre has a tendency to restore its original shape that increases its ability to maintain heat.

The newly developed micro-scale hollow fibre is expected to replace the goose and duck feathers commonly used as the fillers for beddings and winter jackets, in deference to growing voices on protecting animals. Also, it is considered eco-friendly as it is possible to recycle the products made of the special fibre back as raw materials. The fabrics with micro-scale hollow fibre withstand wear and tear better, and entangles less when machine-washed.