The fiber and apparel industries look glamorous, but the significant amount of water they consume when steaming and washing fabric, and the water contamination caused by discharged water, have become global problems. They also dispose of an excessive amount of leftover apparel. FOREARTH was created to tackle these longstanding issues head on.

　Kyocera’s technical prowess was already renowned, with the company boasting top shares internationally for such products as inkjet heads, ink, and mechanical inventions including hardware and controllers. The experts in different divisions in the Kyocera group work together, combining technologies in an inter-departmental manner. This development framework has served as a driving force and led to breakthroughs.

　The development of the “WATER FREE” concept, which minimizes water consumption, has been among the most notable of these efforts. Conventional dye-based textile printing has eight steps, from plate making to textile printing and plate cleaning, and four of those steps – textile printing, steaming, washing, and plate cleaning – require a significant volume of water. To be specific, 153 liters of water per kilogram of fabric. In contrast, FOREARTH completes textile printing in just two steps: printing and drying with zero water usage during these steps. Even the small amount of water used for equipment maintenance is recycled through a “circulating belt cleaning system.” This reduces water consumption by 99%* from conventional methods, using just 0.02 liters per kilogram of fabric.

*Surveyed by Kyocera Document Solutions in 2022

*1 Kujanpää , M. & Nors , M. (2014). Environmental performance of future digital textile printing. VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland.VTT Customer Report Vol. VTT CR 04462 14
*2 Surveyed by Kyocera Document Solutions in 2022

　The concept of “CREATIVE FREE,” which means vivid expression on a variety of fabrics, has been brought to life. The natural softness and texture unique to each fabric are especially important in women’s fashion. However, “pigment ink,” known for its low water consumption and eco-friendliness, has been avoided by the apparel industry due to its impact on softness and texture, as well as questions of durability (resistance to peeling) and coloration.

　Kyocera took on this challenge and developed many patents that have resolved these issues, including its own water-based pigment ink and technology for alternately applying pre- and post-treatment solutions. Mr. Taniguchi said confidently, “Regardless of the fabric type, whether silk, cotton or polyester, it’s now possible to secure durability without undermining the fabric’s natural softness and achieve excellent color reproduction and delicate detailing. Overcoming these conflicting issues has greatly broadened the freedom of expression.”

　Targeting Europe, the heart of fashion, Kyocera chose ITMA 2023, the world’s largest international textile machinery exhibition, in Milan for the global debut of this technology. In April 2025, the company opened the FOREARTH Experience Studio in Milan, where visitors can experience the high quality of the machinery firsthand. The studio has already drawn support and praise from designers with a refined aesthetic. Through collaborations with globally renowned designers, FOREARTH technology has been adopted for the runways of the Paris Fashion Week, Milan Fashion Week and Tokyo Fashion Week, steadily expanding its global presence.

　FOREARTH, with its space-saving design that completes the entire process from printing to drying with a single unit, also realizes the concept of “LOCATION FREE.” Conventional dye-based textile printing requires a large volume of water, so factories are built near water. Today’s textile supply chains are dispersed across the globe. However, FOREARTH can be installed near sales or consumption areas without being constrained by water resources, a major advantage. According to Mr. Taniguchi, “This will reduce logistics costs and lower CO₂ emissions. What’s more, the lead time from design, printing, and sewing to final product manufacturing would be significantly shortened, so it will be possible to print only the necessary amount when needed. By minimizing overproduction, we can make a major contribution to solving the issue of excessive production and mass disposal.”

　Fabrics printed with FOREARTH will decorate the venue at the exhibition “Secrets of the Kimono: The Advent of Yuzen Dyeing.” FOREARTH excels at reproducing fine lines and expressing intricate kimono patterns. By using digital technology, its creators hope to convey the wish to pass on and develop Japanese culture, expressing enthusiasm for this new endeavor. Both FOREARTH itself and its ink are made in Japan. This innovative solution created in Japan is poised to mold the future of the apparel industry.