I’m Dong from the ApparelX division.

This time I visited the Bemberg® Lining Museum+ in Yurakucho, so I’d like to share my impressions of the Bemberg® Lining Museum+ and what kind of features Bemberg has.

What is Bemberg®?

Have you heard of Bemberg?

Many people in the apparel industry may have heard of it, but I didn’t previously understand the difference between Bemberg and Cupra in lining fabrics.

Bemberg is the brand name for Cupra, which is a regenerated cellulose fiber made from cotton. Therefore, 100% Cupra = 100% Bemberg. And currently, Asahi KASEI is the only company in the world that produces this material.

What is Bemberg® Lining Museum+?

The Bemberg® Lining Museum+ opened in Jimbocho, Tokyo in 2014 as a facility dedicated to introducing apparel professionals to the material. After Asahi KASEI’s office relocation, it reopened in Hibiya, Tokyo in November 2018.

The museum introduces the material and production background using the spinning and winding machines actually used at the Nobeoka Bemberg® factory, and also displays products from designer brands that use Bemberg lining.

Unfortunately, the Bemberg® Lining Museum+ closed on August 31, 2022, but we were able to visit just in time before it closed.

We were so lucky~!

But don’t worry, because the VR version of the Bemberg Lining Museum+ will remain available.

About Bemberg®

1. Natural raw materials, environmentally friendly

The raw material for Bemberg® is cotton linter, a byproduct of cottonseed oil production.

Cotton linter is the fluffy fiber (2–6 mm long) left on the surface after cotton seeds are harvested. It can be used as an alternative to wood pulp to produce paper.

Because the raw material comes from nature, Bemberg® biodegrades naturally after being buried in soil and returns to the soil as compost without harming it.

2. High moisture absorption and release properties not found in polyester linings

Bemberg® linings are called linings that breathe with the skin because they can quickly absorb and release moisture through tiny, invisible moisture pathways.

This is because its crystalline structure differs from that of polyester fiber. Please refer to the image below.

In the image below, Bemberg is on top and polyester fiber is on the bottom.

3. Excellent anti-static performance, ideal lining for wool outer fabrics

Bemberg® has an official moisture content of about 11%. This allows static electricity caused by friction to be released into the air.

Please look at the image below: the leftmost sample is Bemberg, the second from the left is anti-static polyester fiber, and the rightmost is regular polyester fiber.

The image below shows the results of placing the three types of linings together with wool outer fabric, then rubbing the wool fabric surface to generate static electricity and testing how much dust each lining attracts when the fabric becomes statically charged.

You can see that the wool fabric lined with Bemberg attracts the least dust.

4. Supports lightweight comfort

Bemberg® fibers have a cross-section that is close to a perfect circle, and their smooth surface helps prevent friction and supports body movement.

5. Less environmental impact when burned

In the image below, where it says ベンベルグ is Bemberg, you can see a comparison of NOx, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide emissions when burned versus other materials.

It can be said to be a very environmentally friendly material.

(Data cited from Asahi KASEI website https://www.asahi-kasei.co.jp/fibers/bemberg/sustainability/resource/)

6. Other

Asahi KASEI imports some of the cotton linter it uses from India. Byproducts of the Indian cotton business are sold as yarn and used in the application of India’s traditional garment, the sari, using Asahi KASEI’s technology. In this way, traditional clothing in India is given a comfortable rebirth, increasing opportunities to wear it and helping preserve tradition in a new way. This part of the world left a strong impression on us.

Sales of Bemberg® lining fabrics

ApparelX sells a variety of Bemberg linings. Please be sure to take a look.

ApparelX exclusive latest AK1560 new classic product new lightweight twill Bemberg lining

See more Bemberg linings

Finished products from Bemberg®

Summary

For me, this was a great opportunity to learn not only about Bemberg®, but also about linings, fiber knowledge, and many other things.

I was glad I was able to visit the museum before it closed.

It’s very unfortunate that the museum is closing, but the VR version of the Bemberg Lining Museum+ will continue to exist.

If you’re interested, be sure to check it out.

BTW, before I left, I shook hands with the man at the exhibition booth, hehe.