n 2019, Filagen Global was established in Korea through a collaboration between Steve Hwang, the current representative who has been involved in the textile industry for many years, a Thai company that developed collagen fibers, and Chinese and Taiwanese companies responsible for yarn and fabric development and production. They have gained attention by introducing "FILAGEN," a fiber marketed as "Wearable Collagen," as their flagship product.

In recent years, FILAGEN has been gradually introduced in Japan as its popularity spreads across Europe, America, and Asia. In light of this, we interviewed Mr. Takeshi Miyasaka, the agent responsible for Filagen Global's expansion in Japan, to learn more about FILAGEN, its functions, and future developments.

Utilizing collagen extracted from fish scalesFILAGEN is a naturally derived fiber created by incorporating collagen peptides obtained from fish scales and chips (pulp) of beech wood. It was developed by Thailand's GEP Spinning company in 2009 and received a patent in 2017 after subsequent research, development, and testing, marking the beginning of its global expansion.

Why did they specifically focus on collagen from fish scales?

"In Taiwan, a fish called 'Milkfish' is commonly consumed, leading to a significant amount of waste, including scales, skin, and bones. GEP Spinning company started researching how to effectively utilize these byproducts. The reason they focused on fish scales from Taiwan was because the company's representative was a Taiwanese researcher.

Collagen from fish scales had already been utilized in various fields, such as cosmetics and collagen packs, demonstrating its practical applications and expanding its usage.

Within this context, the idea emerged that mixing collagen with fibers could create interesting products, and experiments began.

Interestingly, at the time of development, the primary objective was not SDGs-oriented recycling. It started as a business venture utilizing the abundant collagen obtained from mass disposal. However, it eventually led to contributions to the global environment as a result

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Through research and development utilizing nanotechnology, FILAGEN has been endowed with functions such as moisturization, antibacterial and deodorizing properties, UV protection, and skin comfort. Furthermore, FILAGEN is made entirely from natural materials, making it gentle on the skin and the environment, and setting it apart from other materials that undergo additional processing.

In the development and implementation of FILAGEN, what kind of ingenuity and challenges were involved?

"Initially, several companies attempted to combine capsule-type collagen with various fibers or apply coating processes, but they couldn't resolve issues like collagen shedding during washing. FILAGEN addressed these problems through nanotechnology. However, the most challenging aspect was striking a balance between demonstrating FILAGEN's functions while maintaining cost-effectiveness and achieving a price point that consumers could afford. We devoted significant time to trial and error in this regard.

At the raw material stage, FILAGEN is usually about 50% more expensive than regular cotton, but we have managed to keep the price within a range suitable for commercialization. As a fiber, it meets the standards of fabric strength in Japan, although it is labeled as rayon. Based on this research and development, we established the company in 2019 and began global expansion.

However, just as we entered this phase, the COVID-19 pandemic struck, preventing us from participating in trade shows. Once the situation began to stabilize in 2022, we appointed agents like myself in various locations worldwide to initiate sales."

In addition, compared to overseas markets, the start of FILAGEN's introduction in Japan was slightly delayed due to the need to meet strict Japanese standards.

"FILAGEN possesses unique glossiness and softness similar to silk, which is highly appreciated for its visual beauty and feel overseas. Moreover, the added value of collagen fibers generates strong interest, accelerating discussions for product commercialization.

However, in Japan, where proof, such as data, supporting added value is typically required, product development takes time. This is a significant reason for the delayed launch in Japan. We have now obtained data through various functional tests."

Current product deployment of FILAGEN and future possibilities

Currently, FILAGEN is primarily being utilized by major underwear and apparel manufacturers overseas, with a focus on innerwear and yoga wear. Its application has also extended to home goods, such as homewear and bedding.

Moving forward, they plan to focus on product development for accessories, such as clothing for babies, children, and the elderly, as well as for individuals with skin allergies. They aim to incorporate FILAGEN into items like pillowcases, duvet covers, socks, gloves, and the inner layers of masks, capitalizing on its skin-friendly properties.

While the sales in Japan have just begun, Mr. Miyasaka expressed confidence in the future potential.

"FILAGEN fabrics and innerwear using FILAGEN are already available in Japan, but we have just started, so it is not difficult to increase its usage by 10 or 100 times from the overall quantity of distributed fibers.

Our biggest challenge is expanding sales channels and raising awareness. Regarding sales channels, we are conducting sales activities targeting manufacturers and trading companies. As for awareness, it is crucial for people to actually experience and feel the advantages of FILAGEN firsthand. If you come across FILAGEN, I encourage you to try it.

As the sales channels expand and the usage of FILAGEN increases, the price range will become comparable to regular cotton. Consequently, there will be a greater utilization of fish scales, contributing to aspects such as mass disposal and recycling. I hope you will keep an eye on FILAGEN's future progress."