Teijin's lightweight, sound-absorbing polyester material used in Mitsubishi Outlander

The floor carpet was developed by Hayashi Telempu Corporation, a manufacturer of interior automotive parts. V-Lap was adopted as the sound-absorbing material for the carpet's back side.

V-Lap's vertically oriented nonwoven structure performs every bit as well as conventional sound-absorbing materials yet weighs only half as much. With environmental regulations becoming stricter worldwide, there is a growing demand for solutions that help to improve fuel efficiency, including through vehicle-weight reduction.

Going forward, Teijin aims to expand the global market for V-Lap's use in various sound-absorption auto parts, including ceilings and doors.

V-Lap is a nonwoven fabric comprising fibers that are oriented vertically (upward). It is made with a unique manufacturing method to produce a structure that is bulky, lightweight and easy to mold. V-Lap was first utilized as a cushioning material for bedding and such, but its superior sound-absorbing property has led to its use in vehicles for sound proofing. Teijin is also developing V-Lap as a heat-insulating material for use in next-generation houses. Nonwoven products with added functionality can be produced through composite fabrication by bonding V-Lap to other films.