Lycra launches high-performance and bio-based elastane for Spring/Summer 2025 collection

The Lycra Company, a global expert in the development of new sustainable fibers and technologies for the apparel industry, showcased its latest developments for its Spring/Summer 2025 collection, including Lycra
Adaptive and Lycra Xfit. By the end of 2024, Lycra will also launch Qira, the first mass-produced bio-based spandex.

Ebru Ozaydin, global strategic marketing director for Lycra’s denim, knitting and ready-to-wear business, said: “In a world filled with concerns about climate change, geopolitical tensions and inflation, consumers seem to be paying more attention to what is truly important, including the comfort and comfort of their clothing. Durability and sustainability. At Kingpins we showcase innovative fibers designed to meet these needs, including Lycra Adaptiv fiber and Lycra for denim and woven fabrics
Xfit Technology. ”

Lycra Adaptiv is designed to ensure the wearer gets a moderate level of compression and a relaxed, healthy feel, while avoiding returns of unsold product and limiting the accumulation of bulk merchandise in stores and warehouses.

Ebru Ozaydin explains: “When we compare regular spandex to Lycra
There is a huge difference when it comes to the performance of Adptiv fibers. Lycra Adptiv fiber is a new polymer obtained after years of testing and research. ”

“The difference is Lycra
Adptiv exerts 20-25% less pressure on the consumer’s body than ordinary spandex. After many tests with factories around the world, we have achieved this result. ”

“When we started testing this fiber in late 2021, at a time when people were talking about ‘body positivity’ and ‘body neutrality’ and ‘one size fits all,’ we thought those were expressions that were important to us.”

“However, from a consumer perspective, we changed the concept and called it ‘Fit Flexibility’ because this technology is not just for women’s jeans. It’s also for men, boys, Girls and children, as this technology can help consumers absorb various fluctuations in size and shape.”

“On the other hand, we also wanted to convey the idea that denim using this stretch fiber is suitable for everyone—no matter what age you are or what shape you are. There is a high degree of inclusivity in this fiber.”

In addition, Lycra’s new product is Lycra Xfit, a two-way stretch and 360-degree stretch technology.

“When Xfit is used on denim, it has a different look than the two-way stretch stretch denim of the past. Today, they have a very authentic look and don’t look like stretch fabrics at all. That means traditional two-way stretch stretch fabrics often With a higher proportion of spandex in the warp, shrinkage, stretch or recovery cannot be controlled.”

“With this technology we allow the factory to produce in a 360° controlled way. In fact, 360° stretching can be achieved in different ways. Thanks to this new achievement, the warp threads of the denim are double, a set One set of warp threads is elastic and the other set is rigid. As a result, the look of denim is more authentic, natural and perfect, like men’s jeans and women’s jeans.”

Thanks to new technology that works on both denim and non-denim, the stretching of the weft yarns balances the vertical stretch well and distributes all the stretch in a 360° direction. This is why the wearer can feel the stretch effect distributed throughout the garment and the fabric is super soft without missing any of the authentic look.

Another novelty is Qira, the first large-scale bio-derived spandex that will be available in late 2024 or early 2025.

Ebru Ozaydin said: “In 2014, Lycra had developed the first bio-based elastic fiber, which was a precursor and early version of our upcoming fiber, but consumers and brands were not yet ready or understood the need. Later, The industry and people recognized the importance of environmental issues, and finally we succeeded in producing and delivering the world’s first mass-produced bio-based spandex.”

The new Qira fiber is produced through Qore, a joint venture between Cargill, a leader in agriculture and fermentation technology, and Helm, a leading chemicals marketer and distributor. 76% of Qira’s biobased content comes from renewable, non-edible corn. The fiber has the potential to reduce CO2 emissions by 44% compared to other petrochemical-based spandex.