Vinalon
Encyclopedia
Vinylon is a synthetic fiber
produced from polyvinyl alcohol
, using anthracite and limestone
as raw materials. Vinalon was first developed in 1939 by Japanese scientist, Ichiro Sakurada, Yi Sung-ki [Lee. S.or Ri.Sung.Gi.] and H. Kawakami Production of this fiber was delayed for World War II
. The fibre was largely ignored in Korea until Yi defected to North Korea
in 1950. Trial production began in 1954 and in 1961 the massive February 8 Vinalon Complex was built in Hamhung
. Its success and widespread usage in North Korea is often pointed to in propaganda as an example of the success of the juche
philosophy.
While Hamhung remains a major production centre for vinylon; in 1998, a vinylon factory was opened up in South Pyongan. In early 2010, Kim Jong-il
himself attended a mass rally at the February 8 Vinalon Complex in Hamhung to celebrate its reopening after 16 years of inactivity. While Kim is often seen at political rallies or military parades, this is the first documented time he has ever attended an industrial mass rally, said an anonymous South Korean security official.
Vinylon, also known as "Juche fibre" in the DPRK, has become the national fibre of North Korea and is used for the majority of textiles, outstripping fibre such as cotton
or nylon
, which are produced only in small amounts in North Korea. Other than clothing, Vinalon is also used for shoes, ropes, and quilt wadding.
Vinylon is resistant to heat and chemicals but has numerous disadvantages: it is stiff, uncomfortable, shiny, prone to shrinking, and difficult to dye.
Synthetic fiber
Synthetic fibers are the result of extensive research by scientists to improve on naturally occurring animal and plant fibers. In general, synthetic fibers are created by forcing, usually through extrusion, fiber forming materials through holes into the air, forming a thread...
produced from polyvinyl alcohol
Polyvinyl alcohol
Polyvinyl alcohol is a water-soluble synthetic polymer .-Properties:...
, using anthracite and limestone
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
as raw materials. Vinalon was first developed in 1939 by Japanese scientist, Ichiro Sakurada, Yi Sung-ki [Lee. S.or Ri.Sung.Gi.] and H. Kawakami Production of this fiber was delayed for World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The fibre was largely ignored in Korea until Yi defected to North Korea
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
in 1950. Trial production began in 1954 and in 1961 the massive February 8 Vinalon Complex was built in Hamhung
Hamhung
Hamhŭng is North Korea's second largest city, and the capital of South Hamgyŏng Province. In late 2005, nearby Hŭngnam was made a ward within Hamhŭng-si. It has a population of 768,551 as of 2008.-Geography:...
. Its success and widespread usage in North Korea is often pointed to in propaganda as an example of the success of the juche
Juche
Juche or Chuch'e is a Korean word usually translated as "self-reliance." In the Democratic People's Republic of Korea , "Juche" refers specifically to a political thesis of Kim Il-sung, the Juche Idea, that identifies the Korean masses as the masters of the country's development...
philosophy.
While Hamhung remains a major production centre for vinylon; in 1998, a vinylon factory was opened up in South Pyongan. In early 2010, Kim Jong-il
Kim Jong-il
Kim Jong-il, also written as Kim Jong Il, birth name Yuri Irsenovich Kim born 16 February 1941 or 16 February 1942 , is the Supreme Leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea...
himself attended a mass rally at the February 8 Vinalon Complex in Hamhung to celebrate its reopening after 16 years of inactivity. While Kim is often seen at political rallies or military parades, this is the first documented time he has ever attended an industrial mass rally, said an anonymous South Korean security official.
Vinylon, also known as "Juche fibre" in the DPRK, has become the national fibre of North Korea and is used for the majority of textiles, outstripping fibre such as cotton
Cotton
Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective capsule, around the seeds of cotton plants of the genus Gossypium. The fiber is almost pure cellulose. The botanical purpose of cotton fiber is to aid in seed dispersal....
or nylon
Nylon
Nylon is a generic designation for a family of synthetic polymers known generically as polyamides, first produced on February 28, 1935, by Wallace Carothers at DuPont's research facility at the DuPont Experimental Station...
, which are produced only in small amounts in North Korea. Other than clothing, Vinalon is also used for shoes, ropes, and quilt wadding.
Vinylon is resistant to heat and chemicals but has numerous disadvantages: it is stiff, uncomfortable, shiny, prone to shrinking, and difficult to dye.