CH32 : Ultimate Fiber

Daese Industries | Seongsu-dong Factory.

I asked my father to handle the container work at Busan Port and headed to Seoul.

It was time for me to prepare to leave as well.

I needed to review the military boot samples with Sam-bok and discuss the issue of supplying the US military.

"Did the guy who went for dyeing die or what?"

Sam-bok, who was supposed to bring back the samples entrusted to Hyesung Nylon, had yet to appear.

"Success! Hyeonsan Construction's first major overseas construction contract."

"Hyeonsan Construction secures highway construction contract in Thailand."

"Hyeonsan Construction enters the overseas market with a $5.22 million contract."

I flipped through the newspaper while waiting.

All the headlines were about Hyeonsan Construction.

Even when President Park left for the US-Korea summit, it wasn't this loud.

Well, opinions on the Vietnam War were divided, but everyone was happy about Hyeonsan Construction's contract news.

The article said that Hyeonsan Construction's contract was the first overseas contract in history, and the contract amount of $5.22 million was the largest single project amount.

Compared to the 21st century, where a project needs to exceed $100 million to be considered significant, it was a huge difference.

Of course, I was impressed by the article too.

Though I had facilitated the connection, I didn't expect things to progress so quickly.

Just a few days ago, I had connected the Presidential Office and Hyeonsan Construction, and the contract was decided immediately.

With President Park and CEO Wang, the epitome of speed, things moved quickly.

The effects of the memorandum were already showing, and the ongoing US-Korea summit was set to conclude successfully with a joint statement today or tomorrow.

I had to flee to Vietnam before he arrived.

Getting too entangled would hinder my plan to become a global tycoon in the shortest possible time.

"By the way, why is CEO Wang so small-minded? He should have bid $6.5 million, not just $5.22 million."

I had suggested bidding about $1 million more than what he thought, but he didn't listen.

It seemed like he would suffer huge losses, just like in history.

I had no reason to feel sorry for him.

If CEO Wang wanted to pay his tuition fees, so be it.

Next time, my words would carry more weight.

The article mentioned competing against 28 companies from 16 countries.

He must have been nervous when presenting the bid documents.

In the end, it was a bitter yet beneficial medicine for health.

Through this project, Hyeonsan Construction would gain international highway construction experience, secure US military specifications, learn about heavy equipment operation, and realize the importance of local surveys before bidding.

Of course, I didn't need such experiences.

Having failed enough in my past life, I possessed the ability to become an S-class construction company with just construction equipment in this life.

"Chansu! Hahaha. Chansu, hahaha."

Sam-bok came running, laughing like a madman, wrapped in fabric and holding military boots in both hands.

"What's with that look?"

"Ugh, you rascal. I was so scared. I messed up the samples massively while you were away. But as soon as you returned to Seoul, the samples were perfectly completed."

"Manager Sam-bok was quite stressed without CEO Woo. He lamented that while his friend was going to the battlefield, he couldn't even complete the assigned tasks."

Old man Hwang, who was walking behind, added to the conversation.

"Mr. Hwang, when did I ever say that?"

"More than once."

"You complained to him too."

"No, it was just work-related talk. Now, check out the samples. They're amazing."

It seemed he had no one else to talk to but old man Hwang in the absence of CEO Hwang Hyesung and me.

"Polytex, the dual pattern came out really well."

"As you suggested, the honeycomb pattern was indeed possible. The dyeing turned out fantastic too."

Though called a honeycomb, it was a repeating diamond pattern. The interior of the diamond was nylon, and the surrounding was polyester, forming a dual fabric.

If you flipped the fabric, the interior would be polyester, and the surrounding nylon, would form a reversible structure.

In technical terms, it's called an entwining twill pattern, but the challenge was dyeing.

Nylon and polyester had different dyeing properties, causing military uniforms to look blotchy.

In the 60s, military uniforms for both the Korean and US armies were a single dark green color, with only special forces like the Marines wearing camouflage.

"Is this another of Mr. Hwang's works?"

"Today, a brilliant idea struck me. Before applying the ammonium acetate you discovered, why not treat it with caustic soda? Removing the grease with caustic soda helps vinegar-based dyes adhere better."

Mr. Hwang was truly exceptional.

Using acidic dyes, he neutralized the base pre-treatment to match the reaction speed.

His ability to apply learning to solve problems based on experience was outstanding.

If he had received a proper university education, he might have become a world-renowned chemical engineer.

"Chansu, how do we test this quality?"

"How else? You have to experience Polytex firsthand."

I planned to give them an interesting experience.

I wrapped the fabric around Sam-bok and Mr. Hwang's arms and splashed a bucket of water on them.

"What are you doing?"

"Can't you feel it? The unique sensation of Polytex."

"Hey? Who turned on the fan? My arm suddenly feels cool."

"Mr. Hwang understands right away."

"Oh, it really is cool. Wow, this is amazing. You can see the water drying."

"Nylon absorbs moisture and sweat like a sponge, while polyester disperses the moisture into the air."

Polyester being hydrophobic and nylon hydrophilic, the honeycomb pattern maximized moisture dispersion.

This functionality of Polytex revolutionized the global sportswear market.

"This is incredible technology. It's not just a simple dual fabric. You're a genius, Chansu."

"I've already filed a patent, so let's start with domestic filing and handle international filing while I'm away."

"Got it."

I handed over the patent draft I had prepared.

It was something I had scribbled in my notebook during travels.

"CEO Woo, can I read this?"

"Yes, please."

I handed the notebook intended for Sam-bok to Mr. Hwang. The basic concept of Polytex would also be helpful to him.

"Cooling fabric... So, Polytex's original purpose was to cool the body."

"Thinking that clothes are only for warmth is a misconception."

Having seen all kinds of functional clothes in the 21st century, the cooling fabric stood out.

Whether in sticky Southeast Asian plants or the scorching Middle East, the cooling fabric sleeves and face masks were lifesavers.

Without them, the stinging sunlight, dust, sweat, and oil would be unbearably irritating while working.

Why would the Vietnamese jungle be any different?

Selling sleeves, face masks, and stockings made from cooling fabric would be a surefire hit.

Even though I've filed a patent to prevent other suppliers from copying, the key is to flood the market with the product at once.

"What's this? Waterproof breathable fabric?"

Mr. Hwang seemed to have flipped to the back of the notebook where the idea was jotted down.

"Ah, that one hasn't been patented yet. I need to experiment in Vietnam before completing it."

Waterproof breathable fabric is the ultimate functional material, but the concept isn't complicated.

There are two methods: a basic one that coats the fibres with polyurethane, a highly elastic material, and a more sophisticated one that inserts a new material, Teflon film, between the outer and inner layers.

The latter method is commonly used in Gore-Tex hiking clothes.

The problem is that both polyurethane and Teflon film are difficult to synthesize. Currently, only the US, Japan, and Germany can produce them.

That's why I can't patent the Gore-Tex concept.

Without the capability to synthesize the material, patenting the concept would only benefit others.

If I file a patent and an American company manufactures the product, I would have no chance in a patent lawsuit.

At this stage, launching the product and patenting it simultaneously is essential.

There's some time available.

Although polyurethane and Teflon exist in the market, the concept of waterproof breathable fabric like Gore-Tex emerged around 1969. At least that's my memory.

"Mr. Woo, it's not about the patent. Is it really possible to have a fabric that repels water and allows moisture to pass through?"

While 'moisture' is more accurate, the concept remains the same.

"Of course. Water droplets are large, and moisture is so small it's almost invisible. We can create a fabric with tiny pores that allow moisture to pass through."

Polyurethane coating or Teflon film pores are a few micrometres, much smaller than water droplets but significantly larger than water vapour, allowing both waterproofing and breathability.

If someone could drill micrometre-sized holes densely in plastic, they could create Gore-Tex fabric.

"Are you serious?"

"Should we believe him or not?"

Mr. Hwang and Sam-bok looked incredulous, but it didn't matter. I would show them eventually.

"Why those faces? If I hadn't gone to Vietnam, I would have made it first. I could have swept the US and Japanese markets. It's a shame."

There was no need to rush.

I only had to complete it before the Gore-Tex concept appeared in 1969.

"Do we just need to synthesize these materials? There are two types..."

"Either one will do. Both polyurethane and Teflon have waterproof breathable properties."

"Can I try synthesizing it? Whoever succeeds first will beat Japan."

Mr. Hwang pointed at the process flow diagram I had drawn.

"I wouldn't recommend it. The PFD isn't precise. I tried several times in Ulsan, but it kept exploding."

"Exploding? Even a genius like you failed?"

Being called a genius was flattering, but I didn't know everything.

To be honest, I had built a plant for polyurethane but hadn't actually synthesized it.

I wasn't an employee of a textile company.

In other words, the process flow diagram had accurate machinery and raw materials, but I didn't know the exact recipe.

"Based on the chemical formula, I designed the process, but the catalysts and additives are too complex. The foaming agent used as a catalyst caused explosions. Let's do a cross-experiment when I return from Vietnam. It's too dangerous to do alone."

"Alright, let's do that."

Mr. Hwang seemed a bit disappointed as he handed the notebook back to Sam-bok.

Honestly, I hadn't expected it to be this difficult. Knowing the final structure, I thought it would be a matter of trial and error.

But it was a different league compared to polyester polymerization.

The quantities of organic amine catalysts, zirconium-based metal catalysts, foaming auxiliaries, flame retardants, chain extenders, crosslinkers, antioxidants, and various additives drastically affected the reaction.

Every combination I tried ended up exploding like popcorn, making it impossible to find the optimal mix.

Even CEO Hwang Hyesung, who was usually enthusiastic, suggested postponing the experiment.

And then I ended up going to Vietnam.

Clap. Clap.

"Why the gloomy faces when we have this amazing Polytex fabric? Anyone would think the company was bankrupt. We could get rich just by selling this. Rich!"

Sam-bok clapped his hands and shrugged his shoulders.

Listening to him, I realized he was right.

Polytex was as much of a hit as Gore-Tex.

"Sam-bok, listen carefully."

"Yeah, I'm listening."

"File the patent, produce as many military uniforms, jungle boots, and merino wool as possible, and store them. When I tell you to send the goods from Vietnam, send them all at once."

"Huh? Shouldn't we secure the military supply contract first?"

"If we go for a formal military contract, we need to submit drawings and get test results. That's when the technology gets stolen. Sell the products first, then secure the military contract. This is exclusive for Vietnam."

"Exclusive for Vietnam! Got it. A one-time big hit."

What I made was exclusive military gear for the Vietnamese jungle.

The key was to sell as much as possible when first introduced.

Even after the Vietnam War ends, it wouldn't sell anymore. Who would wear boots with drainage holes?

Historically, demand for Vietnam War gear plummeted in the late 60s.

"Make sleeves, face masks, and stockings too. We can sell them separately from military uniforms."

"Sleeves, face masks, stockings?"

"We can sell them right away. Vietnam is full of mosquitoes, spiders, and leeches. The regular fabric would make long sleeves unbearably hot, but Polytex would be fine."

"!!! Because of the bugs."

"Mr. Hwang, if there are many mosquitoes, we should also take insecticides and mosquito nets. Near the forest, we should burn mosquito coils."

Mr. Hwang's words made my ears perk up.

Insecticides could be made by Daese Chemicals.

We just needed to extract toluene from naphtha.

"Sam-bok, did you hear Mr. Hwang? Make mosquito nets and send them. I'll have insecticides made in Ulsan."

"Wow, there's a lot to prepare. All money!"

Going to Vietnam felt like money was raining from the sky.

There wasn't even time for a farewell party with the departure imminent.

But I didn't mind.