Eastman Naia presented a new cellulose acetate filament yarn at last week’s Intertextile Shanghai 2025, developed through its recently announced strategic partnership with Huafon Chemical. The new yarn delivers higher tenacity, making it especially suited for premium lightweight fabrics.

The Naia portfolio is designed to make sustainable textiles accessible to a wide market, offering responsibly sourced, biobased fibres and yarns that combine comfort, quality and style. Naia acetate filament yarn is already favoured by luxury and high-street fashion brands for its silky touch, fluid drape and luminous appearance, while also ensuring durability and easy care.

Eastman has built a strong network of mill and trading partners in China, supporting advanced developments in acetate-based fabrics for both domestic and global markets. The company’s latest collaboration with Huafon strengthens this position with a joint facility dedicated to producing Naia filament yarns in China. The move supports localisation of production, faster supply chain responses and enhanced product innovation for the region.

Like Naia Classic, the new yarn is sourced from 60% sustainably managed wood pulp and 40% acetic acid, offering bio-based content and biodegradability. Its higher tenacity allows entry into premium lightweight fabric applications not previously achievable with standard Naia. Eastman has already begun collaborations with mills including Colorful, GreenSilk and XinMin Textiles, with wider roll-out planned for 2026.

Founded in 1920, Eastman is a global speciality materials company headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, USA. With a focus on innovation and sustainability, Eastman serves customers in more than 100 countries. Huafon Chemical, established in 1999, is part of Huafon Group and a major producer of spandex, PU resin and adipic acid, with operations spanning China and international markets.

www.eastman.com

www.huafon.com