Invista launches bio-derived Lycra

Invista is commercially introducing a Lycra spandex variant that is 70% bio-derived by weight. 

While targeted at manufacturers of apparel fabrics and garments, the development will also be of interest to manufacturers of nonwovens and hygiene disposables, since it’s being predicted that the elastic components of baby diapers alone – about 6% of content by value – will be a $4 billion market by 2017. 

The bio-derived content of the spandex fibre comes from dextrose derived from corn and results in a lower CO2 emissions footprint than spandex produced using traditional raw materials, hence offering an opportunity to reduce overall lifecycle analysis of a fabric or garment. 

Invista says it doesn’t anticipate a need to re-engineer fabrics, finishing processes or garment patterns to accommodate it.

“We are very aware that sustainability topics are becoming increasingly important in the textile and apparel value chain, with growing awareness and building education on the subject at the consumer, brand/retail and mill level,” says Arnaud Tandonnet, Invista Apparel’s global sustainability director. “In our research facilities we have successfully produced the fibereand evaluated it in fabric applications. The production of commercial quantities is planned for the autumn/winter 2015 and spring/summer 2016 collections. We look forward to working with our customers throughout the value chain as we expand this new development.”