Twaron

Twaron is a branded para-aramid fiber developed originally by the Dutch chemicals and materials company Akzo, through its Enka research organization, and now produced and marketed within Teijin Aramid, part of the Teijin Group. It is based on poly-para-phenylene terephthalamide, commonly abbreviated as PPTA or PpPTA, a highly oriented aromatic polyamide whose molecular structure gives the fiber a combination of high tensile strength, high modulus, low weight, heat resistance and resistance to many forms of wear. These characteristics allow Twaron to reinforce or replace heavier materials in demanding protective, structural and industrial applications. The technology traces back to a research program begun in the 1960s under the internal name Fiber X. Enka researchers developed a para-aramid known as Arenka in 1972. During the 1970s, Akzo laboratories established chemical and spinning routes for manufacturing the polymer and converting it into fiber. A significant process development used N-methylpyrrolidone together with calcium chloride to dissolve the aromatic polymer during preparation. The resulting technology became part of a major patent dispute with DuPont, whose related para-aramid technology was commercialized under the Kevlar brand. Twaron’s commercial introduction was delayed by financial difficulties at Akzo, despite the Dutch research program having progressed only a short time after DuPont’s work. Pilot production began in the mid-1970s, initial production followed in 1977, and the product was renamed Twaron in 1984. Commercial manufacturing expanded during the second half of the 1980s, with production operating across multiple locations and plants. In 1989, Akzo’s aramid activity was organized as an independent business unit called Twaron BV. The business was acquired by the Teijin Group in 2000 and became part of Teijin’s advanced-fiber operations. It later operated as Teijin Twaron BV and was ultimately incorporated into the broader Teijin Aramid organization. Core production facilities are associated with Emmen and Delfzijl in the Netherlands. Twaron is supplied in several forms suited to different conversion processes, including yarn, filament and fabric-related formats. Its applications include ballistic-resistant body armor and helmets, flame- and heat-resistant clothing, cut-resistant gloves, ropes, cables, optical-fiber reinforcement, marine composites, technical papers, speaker components and fiber-reinforced construction materials. In automotive products, the fiber is used in tires, belts, hoses, brake components and other rubber goods. Sulfron, a sulfur-modified Twaron technology, is used in selected tire and rubber-reinforcement applications. The fiber has also been used as an asbestos substitute and as reinforcement in products where low mass, dimensional stability and impact resistance are important. Twaron is therefore positioned less as a consumer-facing brand than as a specialist materials platform. Its value proposition is based on engineering performance, processing expertise and supply to manufacturers that incorporate the fiber into finished products. The brand competes in the broader high-performance-fiber market with other para-aramid, meta-aramid and specialty-fiber technologies. Its present identity is closely tied to Teijin Aramid’s global materials portfolio rather than to a standalone public company.

Twaron’s technical lineage began with an Akzo research program in the 1960s investigating a para-aramid fiber identified internally as Fiber X. Enka’s research laboratory produced a para-aramid called Arenka in 1972. Akzo then worked on a commercially viable route for preparing and spinning the aromatic polymer. In 1973, researchers selected sulfuric acid as a solvent for the spinning stage. In 1974, the Akzo research laboratory in Arnhem developed an important polymer-preparation route using N-methylpyrrolidone and calcium chloride. The calcium chloride helped disrupt hydrogen bonding between amide groups, allowing the aromatic polymer to remain dissolved for processing. The work was associated with Leo Vollbracht, Teun Veerman and Wim Engelhard. A separate sulfuric-acid spinning method was developed and patented by Henri Lammers. A pilot plant was completed in 1976, and first production began in 1977. The product was renamed Twaron in 1984. Manufacturing was expanded during the 1980s, with commercial production operating from several locations and plants by 1986. Twaron was introduced commercially in 1987. In 1989, Akzo reorganized its aramid activities into an independent business unit named Twaron BV. The technology’s development occurred in parallel with DuPont’s work on para-aramid fiber. The related manufacturing processes became the subject of a patent conflict between Akzo and DuPont. Twaron’s market launch nevertheless took place later than Kevlar’s, in part because financial problems at Akzo delayed commercialization. By the end of the twentieth century, Twaron had become an internationally marketed engineering material rather than a limited research product. In 2000, Twaron BV became owned by the Teijin Group. The business subsequently operated as Teijin Twaron BV, with its base in Arnhem and principal production activities associated with Emmen and Delfzijl in the Netherlands. During the 2000s, the Teijin organization expanded the business and changed its name to Teijin Aramid. Twaron remains one of the principal branded para-aramid technologies within that organization. Manufacturing involves preparing PPTA polymer from p-phenylene diamine and terephthaloyl dichloride, dissolving or processing the polymer through specialized chemical systems, and forming the material into highly oriented fiber. The resulting fiber is incorporated by downstream manufacturers into fabrics, yarn systems, rubber compounds, cables, composites and other technical products. Its use has broadened across protection, transportation, communications, construction, marine products, sporting goods and industrial equipment. Twaron’s history is consequently a progression from Dutch polymer research, through delayed commercial development and ownership changes, to a global specialty-fiber brand within Teijin Aramid.

• 2007

  Integration into Teijin Aramid

  [1]Twaronen.wikipedia.org

  Following further expansion, the business changes its name to Teijin Aramid.

• 2000

  Acquisition by the Teijin Group

  [1]Twaronen.wikipedia.org

  Twaron BV becomes part of the Teijin Group and is subsequently operated within Teijin’s advanced-fiber activities.

• 1989

  Twaron BV becomes an independent business unit

  [1]Twaronen.wikipedia.org

  Akzo organizes its aramid business as an independent unit called Twaron BV.

• 1987

  Commercial product introduction

  [1]Twaronen.wikipedia.org

  Twaron is introduced to the market as a commercial para-aramid product.

• 1986

  Commercial manufacturing expands

  [1]Twaronen.wikipedia.org

  Commercial production is established across multiple locations and plants.

• 1984

  Product renamed Twaron

  [1]Twaronen.wikipedia.org

  The para-aramid product receives the Twaron brand name.

• 1977

  Initial production begins

  [1]Twaronen.wikipedia.org

  First production of the para-aramid material begins.

• 1976

  Pilot plant completed

  [1]Twaronen.wikipedia.org

  A pilot plant is built for the developing para-aramid technology.

• 1974

  Polymer-processing route established

  [1]Twaronen.wikipedia.org

  Akzo researchers develop a solvent system using N-methylpyrrolidone and calcium chloride to process the aromatic polymer.

• 1972

  Arenka developed

  [1]Twaronen.wikipedia.org

  The Enka research laboratory develops a para-aramid known as Arenka.

• 1960

  Research program begins

  [1]Twaronen.wikipedia.org

  Akzo-associated researchers begin work on a para-aramid material under the internal research name Fiber X.

A specialist high-performance materials brand focused on lightweight strength, heat resistance, impact protection and reinforcement for demanding industrial, automotive, protective and composite applications.

• High-performance fiber · 1987

  Twaron para-aramid fiber

  Twaron is a PPTA-based para-aramid fiber characterized by high tensile strength, high modulus, low density and resistance to heat and abrasion. It is supplied for conversion into yarns, fabrics, cords, composites and reinforced rubber products. Typical uses include ballistic protection, protective clothing, tires, belts, cables, ropes, marine structures, technical papers and fiber-reinforced construction materials.

• Modified aramid reinforcement technology

  Sulfron

  Sulfron is a sulfur-modified Twaron technology used in selected tire and rubber applications. It enables para-aramid reinforcement to function within rubber compounds and is associated with products such as tires and other mechanical rubber goods where strength, durability and reduced reinforcement weight are valuable.

• 2000

  Transfer of Twaron BV to the Teijin GroupM&A

  Background

  Twaron had developed into a global para-aramid business after its commercialization by Akzo.

  Action taken

  The Teijin Group acquired ownership of Twaron BV and incorporated the business into its advanced-fiber operations.

  Aftermath

  The business continued under Teijin ownership as Teijin Twaron BV and was later integrated into Teijin Aramid.

  Source

• 1984

  Adoption of the Twaron brand nameStrategy

  Background

  Akzo’s para-aramid program had previously used research and development names including Fiber X and Arenka. A distinct commercial identity was needed as the technology moved toward market introduction.

  Action taken

  The product was renamed Twaron.

  Aftermath

  The new name became the long-term market identity for Akzo’s para-aramid fiber and was retained after the business moved into the Teijin Group.

  Source

1. 1Twaronen.wikipedia.org