Clarino

Clarino is a Japanese artificial-leather brand manufactured by Kuraray Co., Ltd. Rather than being a conventional coated textile alone, the material is built around a three-dimensionally intertwined non-woven structure of synthetic fibers. Its construction gives Clarino a combination of softness, suppleness, lightness and breathability intended to reproduce selected handling and appearance characteristics of natural leather while providing performance advantages in demanding applications. The material's technical basis is a blend of nylon and polypropylene fibers combined with a sponge-like polyurethane binder. During production, the blended fibers are processed into fine pieces, filtered, and treated so that nylon is removed and the remaining structure can be impregnated with polyurethane. Coagulation in water allows the fibrous non-woven substrate and the porous binder structure to form together. The resulting network includes very fine cavities and microscopic perforations, which contribute to its soft hand and facilitate air permeability. Kuraray developed this manufacturing process in 1964. Clarino is produced in grades designed to imitate different leather surfaces, including suede-like finishes and top-grain-leather appearances. Some versions can be used for glossy patent-style footwear, while others are intended to provide a softer, more textile-like surface. Compared with natural leather, Clarino is washable and can retain its softness when wet. These properties make it suitable for products exposed to moisture or repeated handling, including shoes, garments, accessories, bags, furniture and consumer-electronics coverings. The material has also been used in riding saddles and in sports equipment; the Mitre Revolve football is cited as one product made with Clarino. Clarino's positioning is therefore functional as well as aesthetic. It offers manufacturers a consistent synthetic material that can be engineered for particular surface effects, flexibility and moisture performance, while avoiding reliance on animal leather in the finished product. Its applications span fashion, transportation of the body or equipment, sporting goods and product interiors. The available reference material does not establish an independent Clarino corporate entity, a separate public listing, a founder, a standalone headquarters or a distinct current executive team; those attributes belong, where applicable, to Kuraray rather than to the material brand itself.

Clarino is a material brand rather than a standalone company. It is manufactured by Kuraray, a Japanese chemicals and materials group, and is known for artificial leather based on a synthetic non-woven structure. The available historical reference identifies 1964 as the year in which the core manufacturing process was developed. That process combines blended synthetic fibers with polyurethane to create a porous, leather-like sheet. The structure begins with nylon and polypropylene fibers processed through a blend-spinning approach. The blended material is reduced into fine pieces and filtered. Nylon is then removed through an elution step, after which the remaining fibers are combined with polyurethane and coagulated in water. This produces a three-dimensional non-woven fabric and a sponge-like binder structure at substantially the same time. The resulting microstructure supplies the softness and flexibility associated with leather while also creating cavities and microscopic openings that support breathability. Kuraray developed Clarino grades with different surface appearances and performance characteristics. Some are made to resemble suede, while others imitate top-grain leather. Glossy versions can be used for patent-style shoes and are designed to maintain a high-shine appearance without routine polishing. The material is also washable and is reported to retain its softness when wet, distinguishing it from many natural-leather applications and making it useful where water exposure is likely. Over time, Clarino has been applied across several product categories, including clothing, accessories, bags, shoes, furniture and consumer-electronics products. Its use in riding saddles illustrates the practical value of a washable material that remains flexible in wet conditions. Its use in the Mitre Revolve football demonstrates an extension into sporting goods. The reference material does not provide a detailed chronology of brand launches, ownership changes, marketing campaigns, controversies or corporate decisions specific to Clarino. It also does not identify separate Clarino executives, financial results or a standalone corporate website. Accordingly, the documented history is principally a history of material development, manufacturing technology and applications under Kuraray.

• 1964

  Core Clarino manufacturing process developed

  [1]Clarinoen.wikipedia.org

  Kuraray developed the process for forming Clarino from blended nylon and polypropylene fibers with a porous polyurethane binder, creating a three-dimensional synthetic non-woven material.

A technical, leather-like synthetic material positioned around softness, suppleness, breathability, washability and wet-condition performance.

• Artificial leather

  Clarino suede-like materials

  Clarino grades designed to reproduce the nap and soft visual character of suede. Their synthetic fiber structure provides suppleness and a textile-like hand while retaining the brand's broader washability and moisture-performance characteristics. They can be used in footwear, apparel, accessories, bags and upholstery where a suede appearance is desired without using natural suede.

• Artificial leather

  Clarino top-grain-leather-style materials

  Smooth Clarino grades engineered to simulate the appearance and handling of top-grain leather. The material is based on a porous synthetic non-woven construction and can be adapted for products requiring flexibility, softness and a consistent surface. Applications include shoes, bags, garments, furniture coverings and consumer-electronics products.

• Artificial leather

  Clarino patent-leather-style materials

  High-gloss Clarino materials intended for patent-style footwear and related applications. They are designed to retain a glossy finish without the polishing routine associated with some leather products. The underlying synthetic construction also supports the brand's positioning around consistent manufacturing and resistance to wet-condition performance loss.

1. 1Clarinoen.wikipedia.org