I’m Dong from the ApparelX team. 

This time I visited the Bemberg® Lining Museum+ in Yurakucho, so I’d like to introduce 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 until recently I didn’t understand the difference between Bemberg and Cupra in lining fabrics. 

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

What is the 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® plant, and displays products from designer brands that use Bemberg lining. 

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

We were very lucky~! 

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

About Bemberg®

1. Raw materials come from nature and are kind to nature

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

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

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

2. High moisture absorption and release that polyester lining does not have

Bemberg® linings are called linings that breathe with the skin, because they quickly absorb and release moisture through extremely small, invisible moisture channels. 

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

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

3. Excellent antistatic performance, ideal lining for wool outer fabrics

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

Please see the image below: in the image below, the left is Bemberg, the second from the left is antistatic polyester fiber, and the right is regular polyester fiber.

The image below shows the amount of dust attracted when the wool surface fabric generates static electricity by rubbing the surface after each of the above three linings is placed together with a wool outer fabric.

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

4. Supports a lightweight and comfortable fit

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

5. Less environmental impact when burned

In the image below, the place labeled ベンベルグ is Bemberg, and you can see a comparison of NOx, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide emissions during combustion with those of other materials.

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

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

6. Other

Asahi KASEI imports some of the raw cotton linters it uses from India. By-products of the Indian cotton business are sold as yarn and used in applications for Indian traditional clothing—saris—using Asahi KASEI’s technology. In this way, traditional clothing in India has been comfortably reborn, increasing opportunities to wear it and helping preserve tradition in a new way. This part of the world left a deep 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 Brand-new lightweight twill Bemberg lining

See more Bemberg linings

Finished products made from Bemberg®

Summary

It was a great opportunity for me not only to learn about Bemberg®, but also about lining, fiber knowledge, and many other things. 

 I’m glad I was able to visit before the museum closed. 

 It’s a real pity that the museum is closing, but the VR version of the Bemberg Lining Museum+ will remain available. 

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

 BTW, before I left, I shook hands with the guy at the venue, hehe.