#Yarn & Fiber

2025-04-03

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.

“SPANX, a longtime partner of The LYCRA Company, set the standard as a leader in shaping 25 years ago,” said Melissa McGlynn, a senior strategic account manager at The LYCRA Company. “I truly value their unmatched expertise in innovative design, and appreciate their commitment, enthusiasm, and dedication to collaborating with The LYCRA Company.”

REVOLUTIONARY SCULPTING DENIM

The SPANXsculpt™ ReDefine denim collection is a market first — the first traditional denim offering from SPANX, and the first garment collection to use our patented LYCRA FitSense® denim technology, an innovative sculpting solution that provides targeted support where wearers want it most.

"After countless hours studying the denim market and obsessing over the combination of fit, comfort, and sculpting technology, we are proud to introduce SPANXsculpt™ ReDefine denim,” said Cricket Whitton, CEO at SPANX. “We're delighted to be first-to-market with this groundbreaking sculpting product that truly delivers on comfort and results for women."

LYCRA FitSense® denim technology is a key ingredient in ReDefine denim. To give the jeans their signature stretch and hold, a LYCRA® fiber core is wrapped with a temperature-responsive fiber, then encased in a cotton sheath for a classic denim look and feel. Then, heat is applied to targeted sculpting zones, activating the LYCRA FitSense® denim technology and “locking” those zones into place — no bulky seams, paneling, boning, or hardware required.

As a wearer put it in a review of the jeans, “The pants completely transformed the way my butt looked, and they are so sophisticated with a real button and zipper fly.” What more could you ask for?

COMFORTABLE COTTON SHAPING

After years of requests from consumers, SPANX has introduced a cotton shapewear collection: SPANXshape™ Invisible Supima® Cotton shapewear. The market-first collection features supersoft Supima® Cotton combined with LYCRA® fiber for a comfortable, breathable stretch.

Plus, our LYCRA FitSense® print technology adds lightweight, targeted shaping to desired zones, lifting and holding the wearer without the bulk of added seams or padding.

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.

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.

Durak Tekstil to showcase its innovations for mattress industry at ISPA EXPO 2026

Durak Tekstil threads that meet the standards required for high-quality, long-lasting and comfortable products demanded by the mattress industry, while also offering new possibilities, will be exhibited at ISPA EXPO 2026. The fact that the fair is being held in the U.S.—one of Durak Tekstil’s key target markets—also carries great significance.

B.I.G. Yarns achieves EcoVadis Platinum Rating, ranking among top 1% of companies worldwide

B.I.G. Yarns, the carpet yarn brand of B.I.G. and a leading manufacturer of polyamide (PA), polypropylene (PP) and polyester (PET) yarns for contract, automotive, and high-end residential applications, has been awarded the EcoVadis Platinum Medal, placing the company among the top 1% of more than 130.000 companies assessed globally.

Stability in volatile markets: Heimtextil 2026 launches with 3,000 exhibitors and design expertise from Patricia Urquiola

Heimtextil opens the new season with 3,000 exhibitors from 66 countries – maintaining stability while becoming even more international. The new hall layout increases visibility and connects supply and demand even more efficiently. At the opening, architect and designer Patricia Urquiola and Rosa Bertoli, Global Design Director of Wallpaper magazine, talk about AI, innovative materials and future-oriented design for modern living environments.

Award-winning research for sustainable carbon fibre cycles

Sustainable recycling of carbon fibres is possible through targeted electrochemical surface modification, which makes the sizing of carbon fibres resistant to solvolysis. ITA PhD student Sabina Dann was awarded the MSW Award from RWTH Aachen University for her master's thesis on this development. The award ceremony took place on 12 November 2025 in Aachen.

Eastman introduces Naia™ Lyte at Première Vision Paris, marking a major breakthrough in fiber tenacity for cellulose acetate filament yarn performance

Eastman unveils Naia™ Lyte, a new cellulose acetate filament yarn that represents an important milestone in performance for lightweight and premium fabrics, at Première Vision Paris. Presented for the first time to the international fashion and textile community, Naia™ Lyte expands the capabilities of acetate yarn by introducing enhanced tenacity, unlocking new creative and technical possibilities for designers, mills and brands.

“Action helps us change what we do!”

DAY 0 takes place deliberately before PERFORMANCE DAYS begins. It is conceived as a space for reflection, dialogue and active engagement — a moment to pause before the fair, rethink established systems and address sustainability not as a trend, but as a fundamental transformation challenge. Under the guiding metaphor “Turn the Tap Off”, DAY 0 focuses on root causes rather than symptoms, systemic change rather than isolated solutions, and collective responsibility rather than individual silos.