#Yarn & Fiber

2024-12-05

The LYCRA Company previews bio-derived LYCRA® EcoMade Fiber at ISPO

The LYCRA Company, a global leader in developing innovative and sustainable fiber and technology solutions for the apparel industry, announced today that it is promoting its bio-derived LYCRA® EcoMade fiber at ISPO, December 3 to 5. The company is showcasing samples featuring the renewable elastane in Hall A3, Stand 101, and offering visitors a fully immersive VR experience to learn about the product. It will also be featured in the Sustainability Hub (Hall A2) and is the subject of a presentation.

UpFit Capsule Collection from LIVE! includes leggings, top, and jumpsuit that are made with bio-derived LYCRA® EcoMade fiber, providing exceptional comfort, fit, and flexibility with the added benefit of being a more sustainable fiber © 2024 (Photo: Business Wire)

Bio-derived LYCRA® EcoMade fiber won two ISPO Textrends Awards for Fall/Winter 2026/27. In the fibers and insulation category, this renewable elastane won a “Top 5 Award,” and a garment made with the same fabric was recognized as a “Selection” in the pants & tights category. The Brazilian activewear and swimwear brand LIVE! produced the fabric and leggings using preview samples of this highly anticipated fiber.

Launching in 2025, bio-derived LYCRA® EcoMade fiber will be the world’s first large-scale commercially available renewable elastane. The award-winning product previewed at ISPO contains 70 percent renewable content and is certified under the USDA Bio-Preferred Program. The fiber delivers equivalent performance to the original LYCRA® fiber, and no re-engineering of fabrics, processes, or garment patterns is required.

“We believe bio-derived LYCRA® EcoMade fiber represents an exciting future where we can make real, transformative change in the industry without sacrificing performance,” said Steve Stewart, The LYCRA Company’s chief brand and innovation officer. “We are thrilled to receive this recognition from ISPO and applaud our customer LIVE! for creating the award-winning fabric and garment.”

The LIVE! brand is renowned for its high-quality, sustainable apparel, and its UpFit Capsule Collection includes the ISPO award-winning leggings, Bermuda-length leggings, a top, and a jumpsuit. These garments made with bio-derived LYCRA® EcoMade fiber provide exceptional comfort, fit, and flexibility with the added benefit of being a more sustainable fiber.

“At LIVE!, we believe the future of fashion must balance innovation with environmental responsibility,” said Joice Sens, founder and creative director at LIVE!. “This collection embodies the spirit of LIVE! FUTURE, our sustainable innovation lab, and highlights the importance of partnerships like this one with the LYCRA® brand, enabling us to develop products that combine cutting-edge technology with reduced impact."

Steve Stewart is presenting “All In: The Power of Partnership” on ISPO’s Green Stage on December 4 at 16:00 CET. His presentation details how collaboration has been critical to commercializing bio-derived LYCRA® EcoMade fiber and bringing it to market.

Visit The LYCRA Company’s ISPO Event Page for show information and to discover the range of sustainable solutions fueling its exhibit: COOLMAX® and THERMOLITE® EcoMade fibers made from textile waste, and LYCRA® FiT400™ fiber designed for circularity, are made with the planet in mind. To learn more about bio-derived LYCRA® EcoMade fiber, visit this webpage for product information.

https://www.lycra.com/en

arena introduces renewable LYCRA® EcoMade fiber in its latest swimwear collection

Italian swimwear specialist arena has unveiled a new collection that brings sustainability and performance even closer together. Launched on December 4, the line features swimsuits made from recycled nylon and renewable LYCRA® EcoMade fiber — the first time the bio-based spandex has been used commercially in swimwear.

The LYCRA Company announces grand opening of its largest global Spandex production facility in China

The LYCRA Company, a global leader in innovative and sustainable fiber solutions for the apparel and personal care industries, today announced the official opening of its largest spandex production facility—the LYCRA® fiber (Yinchuan) Plant in Ningxia Province, China. This milestone underscores the company’s continued investment in the Chinese market and highlights its strong commitment to developing localized supply and distribution networks while advancing smart manufacturing upgrades.

LYCRA® brand and SPANX are redefining comfort and fit in 2025

It’s been a big year for the SPANX-LYCRA® brand partnership — and it’s only March. In 2025, the brands have collaborated on two industry-leading innovations — a first-of-its-kind denim collection and an all-new line of cotton shapewear — transforming comfort and fit for millions of consumers. That’s a lot to celebrate.

Vandewiele Group: Innovation across the textile value chain at ICFE Istanbul 2026

At the 2026 Istanbul Carpet & Flooring Expo (ICFE), Vandewiele Group presents its latest advancements spanning the entire textile value chain. From spinning and weaving to tufting, carpet manufacturing and digital finishing, the Group demonstrates how integrated innovation can boost performance, efficiency and sustainability across all stages of production. As a global technology leader, Vandewiele continues to develop solutions that strengthen processes, enhance product quality and enable smarter, greener manufacturing.

CARBIOS and Wankai sign strategic PET biorecycling pact

CARBIOS (Euronext Growth Paris: ALCRB) and Wankai New Materials (“Wankai”), a listed subsidiary of Zhink Group, the 3rd largest PET producer in China and 4th worldwide, announce the signing of the definitive agreement establishing a strategic partnership for the industrial rollout of CARBIOS’s PET biorecycling technology in Asia. The first milestone will be the construction of a PET biorecycling plant in China.

Fulgar voice at the Milan Fashion Institute

Daniela Antunes, Marketing Manager at Fulgar, participated as an expert speaker at the XVII edition of the Master in Brand & Product Management of the prestigious Milano Fashion Institute, which trains well-rounded professionals capable of managing both the creative and strategic-managerial aspects of the fashion & luxury sector.

Happy Holidays!

Dear reader, the year 2025 is drawing to a close. We are entering what we hope will be a peaceful holiday season, spending time with our families and taking a moment to pause and reflect. We hope we have been able to support you once again this year with relevant news and articles, and we look forward to surprising you with many innovations in the coming year. Enjoy the festive season, stay healthy, and we wish you a happy and joyful holiday season.

Texpertise Focus AI: Messe Frankfurt puts Artificial Intelligence centre stage at its international textile and apparel trade fairs

Under the banner 'Texpertise Focus AI, Messe Frankfurt will place a strong emphasis on Artificial Intelligence (AI) across its international textile and apparel trade fairs from 2026 onwards, setting a future-shaping signal for the industry. The initiative highlights the responsible use of AI along the entire textile value chain, from fibre production to the point of sale. The programme will launch at Heimtextil in Frankfurt in January 2026.

Autoneum and Polestar set new benchmarks for passenger experience and sustainability

As the global market leader in sustainable acoustic and thermal management, Autoneum is a key supplier of interior and exterior components for the highly anticipated Polestar 5 model. The successful collaboration between Autoneum and Polestar marks a significant milestone in sustainable automotive engineering: the electric grand tourer sports car features several innovations in lightweight, fully recyclable polyester-based components that ensure a superior driving experience. Polestar 5 was revealed at the IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich and is available in 24 markets.