View source for Alcantara (material)

{{Short description|Suede-like synthetic textile}}
{{Infobox brand
| name           = Alcantara 
| logo           = <!-- wikidata : P154 --> 
| logo_upright   = 
| logo_alt       = 
| logo_caption   = 
| image          = <!-- wikidata : P18 -->   
| image_upright  = 
| alt            = 
| caption        = 
| producttype    = Material
| currentowner   = 
| producedby     = Alcantara S.p.A.
| country        = {{Flag|Japan}}<br/>{{Flag|Italy}}
| introduced     = 1970s
| discontinued   = 
| related        = [[Ultrasuede]]
| markets        = 
| previousowners = 
| trademarkregistrations = 
| ambassadors    = 
| tagline        = 
| website        = {{URL|https://www.alcantara.com/}}
| module         = <!-- or: misc -->
| module1        = <!-- or: misc1 -->
| footnotes      = 
}}
{{Infobox textile
| name          = Alcantara
| image         = McLaren 720S Spider IMG 3285.jpg
| caption       = Grey Alcantara in the interior of a [[McLaren 720S]]
| type          = 
| material      = 69% [[polyester]] and 31% [[polyurethane]]
| method        =
| process       = [[Spinning (polymers)|spinning process]], [[Chemical substance|chemical]]
| location      = 
| introduced    = 1970s
| manufacturer  = Alcantara S.p.A.
}}

'''Alcantara''' is the brand name of a synthetic textile with a soft, suede-like microfibre pile, noted for its durability. Alcantara was developed in the 1970s by Miyoshi Okamoto and initially manufactured by the Italian company Alcantara. The term has an Arabic root ({{Langx|ar|القنطرة|translit=al-qantara}}) and means "the bridge".

Alcantara is produced by combining an advanced [[Spinning (polymers)|spinning process]] (producing very low [[Units of textile measurement#Denier|denier]] bicomponent "[[islands-in-the-sea]]" [[fiber]]) and [[Chemical substance|chemical]] and [[textile]] production processes (needle punching, [[polishing|buffing]], impregnation, extraction, finishing, [[dye]]ing, etc.) which interact with each other.

Alcantara is commonly seen in automotive applications,<ref name="1app">"Automotive applications", Alcantara S.p.A. https://www.alcantara.com/applications/automotive/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230831153022/https://www.alcantara.com/applications/automotive/ |date=2023-08-31 }}</ref> as a substitute for leather and vinyl in vehicle interior trim. It is also used in the design, fashion, consumer electronics and marine industries.<ref name="2app">{{Cite web |url=https://www.alcantara.com/endless-applications/ |title="Applications and collaborations", Alcantara S.p.A. |access-date=2023-08-31 |archive-date=2023-08-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230831153019/https://www.alcantara.com/endless-applications/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== History ==

The material was developed in the early 1970s by Miyoshi Okamoto, a scientist working for the Japanese chemical company [[Toray Industries]]. It was based on the same technology as another product from the same company named [[Ultrasuede]].<ref>Robert Kanigel [https://books.google.com/books?id=WFGCvfUtA78C&pg=PA192 Faux real: genuine leather and 200 years of inspired fakes], National Academies Press, 2007 {{ISBN|0-309-10236-7}} p. 192</ref> In 1972, a joint venture between Italian chemical company [[Eni|ENI]] and Toray formed ''ANTOR S.p.A.'' (renamed ''IGANTO S.p.A.'' shortly after in 1973, then finally ''Alcantara S.p.A.'' in 1981)<ref>https://www.alcantara.com/corporate/</ref> in order to manufacture and distribute the material.<ref name="g1">[http://www.sleepermagazine.co.uk/Companies/Fabrics/509852/jab_anstoetz_takes_over_alcantara_distribution.html JAB Anstoetz takes over Alcantara distribution] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002200945/http://www.sleepermagazine.co.uk/Companies/Fabrics/509852/jab_anstoetz_takes_over_alcantara_distribution.html|date=2011-10-02}}, SleeperMagazine.com, 12 June 2010</ref><ref>Giancarlo Colombo (Ed.) Who's Who in Italy 2007 Edition, Volume 2, 2008, {{ISBN|88-85246-62-1}}</ref> The company is owned since 1995 by [[Toray]] and [[Mitsui]].<ref>https://www.alcantara.com/corporate/</ref>

== Composition ==

Alcantara is composed of about 68% [[polyester]] and 32% [[polyurethane]],<ref>Walter Fung [https://books.google.com/books?id=U0Rh-TrvMz4C&pg=PA239 Coated and laminated textiles], Woodhead Publishing, 2002 {{ISBN|1-85573-576-8}}, p. 239</ref> giving increased durability and stain resistance. The appearance and tactile feel of the material are similar to those of [[suede]], and it may be erroneously identified as such.

Some versions are designated as [[flame retardant]] in order to meet certain fire standards for both furnishings and [[automobile]] applications.<ref name=g1 />

== Uses ==
[[File:Lancia Y Interior106.jpg|thumb|Pink Alcantara in the [[Lancia Y]]]]

Alcantara applications include furniture,<ref>Mel Byars [https://books.google.com/books?id=NhX_SfMy5kgC&pg=PA98 New chairs: design, technology, and materials], Laurence King Publishing, 2006 {{ISBN|1-85669-413-5}} p.98</ref> clothing, jewelry, safety helmets and automobiles. In the latter it is used in seating, dashboard trim and headliners by many high-end [[Original equipment manufacturer|OEM]] automotive suppliers. It is commonly used as steering wheel covering in many performance oriented vehicles. [[Louis Vuitton]] uses Alcantara linings in many of its bags. It appears in the collaboration with [[Takashi Murakami]] under the creative direction of fashion designer [[Marc Jacobs]], wherein the white Multicolor Monogram bags have a bright fuchsia Alcantara lining.

Alcantara is used as a flame-retardant driver seat covering material for Formula One race cars, including the [[Williams Grand Prix Engineering|Williams]] [[Formula One]] 2011 FW33 car.<ref>F1 Technical [http://www.f1technical.net/f1db/cars/976 Williams Formula One FW33 Technical specifications] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110308114028/http://www.f1technical.net/f1db/cars/976 |date=2011-03-08 }}</ref> Alcantara has a velvety texture and is soft to the touch, making it ideal for use in high-end phone cases, wallets, and other small accessories. It is also used as a covering material for high-end headphones, including the [[Sennheiser]] HD800, the Sennheiser Momentum On-Ear,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.sennheiserusa.com/dynamic-stereo-headphones-high-sound-quality_500319 |title=Sennheiser HD800 Product Page |access-date=2012-11-18 |archive-date=2012-11-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121123085852/http://www.sennheiserusa.com/dynamic-stereo-headphones-high-sound-quality_500319 |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Bose Corporation|Bose]] QuietComfort 35<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bose.com/en_us/products/headphones/over_ear_headphones/quietcomfort-35-wireless.html |title=Bose QuietComfort 35 Product Page |access-date=2016-12-19 |archive-date=2017-11-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171108232323/https://www.bose.com/en_us/products/headphones/over_ear_headphones/quietcomfort-35-wireless.html |url-status=live }}</ref> as well as for other consumer products, such as Microsoft's Alcantara keyboard cover for [[Surface Pro (2017)]]<ref>[https://www.microsoft.com/surface/accessories/signature-type-cover Microsoft Surface Pro Signature Cover Product Page]</ref> and [[Microsoft Surface Go|Surface Go]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/surface-go-signature-type-cover/90kbccpw6fsv|title=Surface Go Signature Type Cover - Microsoft|website=Microsoft Store|language=en-US|access-date=2018-08-30|archive-date=2018-08-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180830142339/https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/surface-go-signature-type-cover/90kbccpw6fsv|url-status=live}}</ref> Microsoft's [[Surface Laptop]] keyboard<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/devices/surface-laptop/innovation|title=Surface Laptop detail page on the usage of the Alcantara fabric|website=www.microsoft.com|language=en-us|access-date=2017-05-06|archive-date=2017-05-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170506020108/https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/devices/surface-laptop/innovation|url-status=live}}</ref> and Samsung's Galaxy S8, S8+, S9, S9+ and Note 8<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/mobile-accessories/phones/galaxy-note8-alcantara-cover--black-ef-xn950abegus/ |title=Samsung Note 8 Smartphone Alcantara Cover Product Page |access-date=2017-10-03 |archive-date=2017-10-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003224854/https://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/mobile-accessories/phones/galaxy-note8-alcantara-cover--black-ef-xn950abegus/ |url-status=live }}</ref> smartphone covers.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.samsung.com/sg/mobile-accessories/alcantara-cover-galaxy-s8/EF-XG950AMEGWW/ |title=Samsung Galaxy S8 Smartphone Alcantara Cover Product Page |access-date=2017-04-26 |archive-date=2017-09-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925110835/http://www.samsung.com/sg/mobile-accessories/alcantara-cover-galaxy-s8/EF-XG950AMEGWW/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Alcantara is also used in the SpaceX [[SpaceX Dragon 2|Crew Dragon]] capsule.<ref>{{Cite web|title = SpaceX on Instagram: "Crew Dragon can have up to seven seats, which are made from the highest-grade carbon fiber and Alcantara cloth."|url = https://instagram.com/p/7eVl1nl8X4/|website = Instagram|access-date = 2015-09-11|archive-date = 2015-12-16|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151216150350/https://www.instagram.com/p/7eVl1nl8X4/|url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | title = SpaceX Website: "Crew Dragon" | url = https://www.spacex.com/crew-dragon | website = SpaceX.com | access-date = 2019-01-07 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190302073911/https://www.spacex.com/crew-dragon | archive-date = 2019-03-02 | url-status = dead }}</ref> Overall, these factors and Alcantara's unique texture and luxurious feel make it a sought-after material in the [[fashion]] industry.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-23 |title=What Is Alcantara Material And How It's Used In Fashion |url=https://gentcreate.com/blogs/gentlemens-corner/what-is-alcantara-material-and-how-it-s-used-in-fashion |website=GENTCREATE |access-date=2022-06-25 |archive-date=2022-05-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522223642/https://gentcreate.com/blogs/gentlemens-corner/what-is-alcantara-material-and-how-it-s-used-in-fashion |url-status=live }}</ref>
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== References ==

{{refs}}

== External links ==

* {{Official website|https://www.alcantara.com/}}
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLPK-LS6Dgo Alcantara cleaning tips]

{{Automotive industry in Italy}}
{{leather}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Automotive technologies]]
[[Category:Artificial leather]]
[[Category:Japanese inventions]]
[[Category:Textiles]]