The LYCRA Company, a global leader in developing innovative and sustainable fibre and technology solutions for the apparel industry, is previewing samples made with bio-derived LYCRA® EcoMade fibre at Performance Days Munich on March 5 – 6. When it launches commercially later this year, this highly anticipated fibre will be made from annually renewable Iowa field corn to help reduce the environmental impact of apparel.
Bio-derived LYCRA® EcoMade fibre will be the world’s first large-scale commercially available renewable elastane. It delivers equivalent performance to the original LYCRA® fibre and is a one-to-one replacement with no re-engineering of fabrics, processes, or garment patterns required. The product contains 70% renewable content and can potentially reduce the carbon footprint of LYCRA® fibre by up to 44%*.
Bio-derived LYCRA® EcoMade fibre seamlessly blends sustainability with the lasting comfort, fit and performance consumers desire. This breakthrough innovation also helps our customers as they work towards their own sustainability goals.”
Nicolas Banyols, chief commercial officer of The LYCRA Company
The company is also promoting its cooling and warming performance fibres, COOLMAX® and THERMOLITE® EcoMade fibre made from 100% textile waste, LYCRA® T400® EcoMade fibre, a recyclable polyester stretch fibre made from a combination of recycled and renewable resources, and LYCRA® ADAPTIV fibre that enables a second-skin fit and inclusive sizing.
Dr. Alberto Ceria, senior applications development professional, will give an Expert Talk on March 6 at 10:30 a.m. CET. The talk, titled “The LYCRA® Brand’s Journey Towards Circularity: From Renewable Resources to End-of-Life Solutions,” will cover the company’s commitment to developing sustainable and circular solutions, including bio-derived LYCRA® EcoMade fibre, its progress on end-of-life initiatives to recycle LYCRA® fibre creating virtuous loops and addressing the European Green Deal policy package.
Chris Williams, lead technical and market development professional, is expanding The LYCRA Company’s reach at the show by participating in a Trend Talk panel discussion on March 6 at 9:30 a.m. CET. “Making a Splash in Swimwear” explores key challenges in swimsuit design, explaining how LYCRA® brand solutions function and address common consumer pain points in the category.
The LYCRA® brand returns as the presenting sponsor of the Bodywear Collective with the Innovation Zone featuring tunnels displaying activewear, shapewear, underwear, swimwear, and seamless garments crafted from high-performance fabrics sourced from leading global mills.
