Alibaba’s e-commerce platform Tmall has tied up an exclusive deal with Japanese fabric-maker Mitsubishi Chemical to jointly develop thermal fabrics and establish partnerships with Chinese fashion brands, Alibaba announced Monday in a press release.

For the next three years, Tmall will be Mitsubishi Chemical’s exclusive China e-commerce partner for undergarments made from the two companies’ co-developed thermal acrylic fabric, Alibaba said.

The collaboration shows Alibaba’s “unique ability” to connect fabric manufacturers to brands, the internet giant added. Mitsubishi Chemical is already in contact via Tmall with several apparel companies, including Danish brand Vero Moda and Chinese lingerie outlet Maniform, according to Alibaba’s press release.  

In recent years, Tmall has increasingly distinguished itself from another Alibaba-owned e-commerce site, Taobao, by becoming a multi-service platform for vendors and brands.

Contact reporter Zhao Runhua (runhuazhao@caixin.com)

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