#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.

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.

Perfect quality through collaboration: Machinery from Trützschler, Toyota and Murata at Zirve Tekstil

In today’s textile industry, excellence is not achieved by chance – it’s the result of deliberate decisions, technical expertise, and the courage to go beyond conventional paths. The Turkish company Zirve Tekstil has done just that: by combining the best technologies from Trützschler, Toyota and Murata, they’ve created a production setup that delivers outstanding yarn quality – recognized worldwide.

Engineering depth and diversity for composites

Airbond is the latest member of the British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA) to receive recognition for contributions to the composites industry. The engineering firm based in Pontypool, South Wales, has just received the Make UK Energy and Sustainability Award for its Lattice 3D Printing project.

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.