THE LYCRA COMPANY, a global leader in developing innovative and sustainable fibre and technology solutions for the apparel industry, announced today that it will showcase its bio-derived LYCRA® EcoMade fiber at Kingpins Amsterdam on April 16-17. The company is showcasing denim samples featuring seed quantities of its renewable elastane at its stand in and it also offers visitors a fully immersive VR experience exploring the product’s journey from farm to fibre.
Set to launch commercially later this year, bio-derived LYCRA® EcoMade fibre made with QIRA® will be sourced from annually renewable dent corn from Iowa, offering raw material origin transparency and a sustainable solution to help reduce the environmental impact of apparel. This innovative fibre, composed of 70% renewable content, has the potential to reduce the carbon footprint of LYCRA® fibre by up to 44%*, delivering equivalent performance to the original LYCRA® fibre. It is a one-to-one replacement requiring no re-engineering of fabrics, processes, or garment patterns.
Arnaud Ruffin, The LYCRA Company’s vice president of brands and retail, said:
Our customers and their consumers are increasingly seeking products that not only meet high-performance standards but also align with their sustainability values. Bio-derived LYCRA® EcoMade fibre represents a significant step forward in providing sustainable solutions without compromising on quality, and we are excited to share this innovative fibre with the denim industry at Kingpins Amsterdam.”
The “7 Styles for 7 Days” project at Kingpins showcases how stretch denim made with bio-derived LYCRA® EcoMade fibre can transform men’s and women’s wardrobes throughout the week, ensuring lasting comfort, fit, and shape while reducing environmental impact. This exhibit is a collaboration between The LYCRA Company and Diamond Denim, a part of the Pakistan-based Sapphire Group, and helps accelerate both companies’ journeys toward decarbonization.
ORTA, a Turkish denim manufacturer, will also showcase samples made with bio-derived LYCRA® EcoMade fibre and regenerative cotton in its stand. According to Sebla Onder, ORTA’s marketing and sustainability manager, the enthusiastic market response to their capsule collection launched in late 2024 gives her hope that the industry is genuinely ready for meaningful change. “We are thrilled that Citizens of Humanity Group, one of our respected premium brand partners, has sourced this sustainable fabric for their AGOLDE brand, and we eagerly anticipate consumer reaction to this collection in the coming months. We are also looking forward to new, strong brand collaborations emerging from this amazing partnership,” she said.
*Estimate from Cradle-to-Gate Screening LCA for a representative LYCRA® fiber manufacturing facility, June 2022, prepared by Ramboll Americas Engineering Solutions, Inc.
