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.