Sustainable Fashion: Could the future of LYCRA be corn?
The LYCRA Company
The LYCRA company has partnered up with Qore & Cargill in order to produce bio-derived stretch using QIRA. This is driving the next wave of innovative & sustainability fashion.
The revolutionary LYCRA fiber was developed in 1958 by Dr. Joseph Shivers, a DuPont Chemist. It was intended to replace natural rubber used in girdles. In Europe and the US, the advent of World War II prompted the search for alternatives to natural resources which were expected to be cut off or diverted for military purposes.
The new elasticated fiber could be spun to fine filaments, and stretched up to 500% its original length. It can also return to its initial shape. The fibre is stronger and more durable and can be used to make foundation garments which are softer, lighter, and sheerer. They will also be easy to maintain and resistant to oils, lotions, and perspiration.
LYCRA is celebrating 60 years of being a fashion icon. Notable moments include: the astronauts wearing LYCRA spacesuits for the Apollo missions in 1969, the record-breaking performance at the 1972 Summer Games, the fitness craze of the 1980s, and the emergence of LYCRA as a household brand in 1995.
LYCRA offers more than 200 fibres that are unique to the company. These fibers optimize how clothes feel, look and perform. LYCRA, as an industry leader for fibre innovation is committed to meeting the changing needs of consumers.
How LYCRA promotes sustainable fashion by using corn
In partnership with Qore and using QIRA, the LYCRA Company developed the first commercially viable large-scale production of bio-derived stretch fabric. As a result of this, 70% of LYCRA’s fibre content will come from an annually renewable feedstock.
As part of our sustainability objectives, we are committed in delivering products which support a circular economy, while helping our apparel customers and personal care clients reduce their footprint,” Julien Born said, CEO of The LYCRA Company.
He said: “We are particularly pleased to work with Qore (r), a firm that shares our vision of innovative, sustainable solutions. They are the perfect partner for developing a bio-derived LYCRA (r) fibre on a commercial scale because of their expertise in fermentation processes and knowledge of chemical value chains.
Construction of the new facility will allow production to begin in 2024. The first Renewable LYCRA fiber made with QIRA is expected to be produced in 2024 at The LYCRA Company’s Tuas manufacturing facility, Singapore.
“We are pleased to be working with The LYCRA Company to bring this material to market. This collaboration shows that QIRA(r), which replaces conventional BDO, significantly improves the sustainability profile of fibres. QIRA(r), an innovative platform chemical, can be used across various industries”, said Jon Veldhouse CEO of Qore.
By using the field corm produced by Iowa farmers, both LYCRA & QIRA can reduce CO2 emissions and replace a finite source with one which is renewable annually, all while maintaining performance.
Prachi, an accomplished Chief-Editor at The Sustainable Brands Journal, has 15+ years of experience in Europe, the Middle East, and India, managing 90+ global sustainable brands. She’s a prolific writer in sustainability, contributing to various publications. Prachi’s unwavering passion and expertise make her a recognized authority, driving positive change and inspiring a sustainable future.
