The LYCRA Company, a global leader in developing innovative and sustainable fiber and technology solutions for the apparel industry, is previewing samples made with bio-derived LYCRA® EcoMade fiber at Performance Days Munich stand BW09-10, March 5 – 6. When it launches commercially later this year, this highly anticipated fiber will be made from annually renewable Iowa field corn to help reduce the environmental impact of apparel.

Bio-derived LYCRA® EcoMade fiber will be the world’s first large-scale commercially available renewable elastane. It delivers equivalent performance to the original LYCRA® fiber and is a one-to-one replacement with no re-engineering of fabrics, processes, or garment patterns required. The product contains 70 percent renewable content and can potentially reduce the carbon footprint of LYCRA® fiber by up to 44%*.

"Bio-derived LYCRA® EcoMade fiber seamlessly blends sustainability with the lasting comfort, fit, and performance consumers desire," said Nicolas Banyols, chief commercial officer of The LYCRA Company. "This breakthrough innovation also helps our customers as they work towards their own sustainability goals."

The company is also promoting its cooling and warming performance fibers, COOLMAX® and THERMOLITE® EcoMade fiber made from 100% textile waste, LYCRA® T400® EcoMade fiber, a recyclable polyester stretch fiber made from a combination of recycled and renewable resources, and LYCRA® ADAPTIV fiber 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 fiber, its progress on end-of-life initiatives to recycle LYCRA® fiber 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. He will explain how LYCRA® brand solutions function and address common consumer pain points in the category. 

LYCRA® brand returns as the presenting sponsor of the Bodywear Collective, located across from its stand. Inside the exhibit, the Innovation Zone features tunnels displaying activewear, shapewear, underwear, swimwear, and seamless garments crafted from high-performance fabrics sourced from leading global mills. Advanced stretch solutions from the LYCRA® ADAPTIV, LYCRA FitSense®, LYCRA® SPORT, and LYCRA® XTRA LIFE™ brands enhance the collection. 

For show details and additional product information, visit this website.

*Estimate from Cradle-to-Gate Screening LCA for a representative LYCRA® fiber manufacturing facility, June 2022, prepared by Ramboll Americas Engineering Solutions, Inc.

About The LYCRA Company

The LYCRA Company is a leading global fiber and technology solutions provider to the apparel and personal care industries committed to offering sustainable products using renewable, pre-, and post-consumer recycled ingredients that reduce waste and help set the stage for circularity. Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, United States, it owns the LYCRA^®, LYCRA HyFit^®, LYCRA^® T400^®, COOLMAX^®, THERMOLITE^®, ELASPAN^®, SUPPLEX^® and TACTEL^® brands. The LYCRA Company adds value to its customers’ products by offering unique innovations that meet the consumer’s need for comfort and lasting performance. Learn more at lycra.com. 

LYCRA®, COOLMAX®, and THERMOLITE® are trademarks of The LYCRA Company.