#Yarn & Fiber

2019-09-12

The LYCRA Company launches LYCRA® FitSense™ Technology

The LYCRA Company, a leader in innovative fiber and technology solutions for the apparel industry, today announced the global launch of new LYCRA® FitSense™ technology. This groundbreaking innovation is a patented water-based dispersion that features the same molecule as LYCRA® fiber, but in liquid form.

LYCRA® FitSense™ technology is screen printed onto fabric containing LYCRA® fiber to deliver targeted lightweight support that can be combined with visual effects like patterns or color blocks. As a result, sewn-in panels or extra seams that may restrict movement and cause discomfort could be eliminated and the consumer’s need for great-fitting, ultra-comfortable garments is satisfied, giving support just where it is needed.

“We first offered LYCRA® FitSense™ technology to key customers in Europe and the U.S. and we’re so thrilled with the results that we’re launching it globally,” said Serge Vigouroux, executive vice president, new ventures & marketing at The LYCRA Company. “Customer feedback and product reviews have been extremely positive, and we’ve had many new inquiries from customers interested in adopting the technology.”

LYCRA® FitSense™ technology can transform activewear and athleisure apparel (leggings and tops) and intimate apparel (bras, sports bras, bralettes, underwear and shapewear) by adding lightweight power, soft shaping and lift, and targeted support without sacrificing comfort.

“This innovation is a game-changer for our apparel business that until now, focused primarily on fiber technologies,” said Vigouroux. “We are already looking into new formulas, additional application processes, and other apparel end uses to expand this technology further.”

LYCRA® FitSense™ technology offers printers, garment makers, brands and retailers a host of benefits. This solution helps streamline garment manufacturing, offers unlimited design possibilities that provide functional benefits, and differentiates garments by providing a premium offering made with a breakthrough innovation.

To learn more about LYCRA® FitSense™ technology and the value and benefits it adds to apparel, visit connect.lycra.com. If you will be at Intertextile from September 25-27, visit ZhiNan Zhou from The LYCRA Company at Booth E56 in Hall 4.1. For show information, visit Intertextile.com.

LYCRA® and FitSense™ are trademarks of The LYCRA Company.

“Production is a product”

From technical textiles and AI-driven robotics to the limitations of textile circularity: Professor Dr Thomas Gries looks back on more than two decades of development at ITA Aachen. In the interview, he explains why production technology remains a decisive success factor, discusses international collaborations and innovation ecosystems, and shares his views on the transformation of production landscapes and the challenges facing an increasingly regulated industry.

“We need to move away from the price trap and return to a value-driven mindset.”

With its new Textile Innovation Center, KARL MAYER is sending a strong signal for innovation, collaboration, and the future of textile applications. In this interview, Karl Josef Mayer discusses new opportunities in warp knitting, the processing of staple fibres, recycling, the changing role of machinery manufacturers, and why the textile industry must once again focus more strongly on the value of textiles. by Oliver Schmidt

“Innovation, resilience and international experience remain the great strengths of the Swiss textile machinery industry”

Geopolitical uncertainty, growing competitive pressure from China, new free trade agreements and the shift towards a circular economy are currently reshaping the global textile industry. In this interview, Cornelia Buchwalder discusses the current mood within the Swiss textile machinery sector, the industry’s distinctive innovative strength, new market opportunities in India and Asia, and the technological trends that could shape the upcoming trade fair cycle leading up to ITMA 2027.

Expansive innovations converge in Shanghai as Yarn Expo Autumn 2026 opens doors next week

With just days to go, industry enthusiasm is building for the opening of Yarn Expo Autumn, Asia’s premier yarn and fibre trade fair, running from 25 – 27 August at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). Across 27,000 sqm in Hall 8.2, buyers will find nearly 600 exhibitors from 14 countries and regions, spread across seven specialised zones that range from cutting-edge man-made and regenerated fibres to time-honoured cashmere and silk. Beyond the extensive sourcing options, a fringe programme of trend showcases, presentations and product launches rounds out the three¬day event with design, innovation and market intelligence.

Dornbirn GFC 2026 expands conference program with new thematic sessions

For 65 years, Dornbirn GFC has stood for innovation and is one of the world’s leading conferences in the fiber industry. From September 16 to 18, 2026, the international fiber community will meet in Dornbirn, Austria, to discuss current trends, technological developments, and forward-looking solutions. More than 600 experts from industry and academia from over 30 countries are expected to attend. With around 100 presentations by renowned speakers, a 2,5-day conference program, and three parallel presentation rooms with moderated sessions, Dornbirn GFC provides a first-class platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and international collaboration. Together, participants will generate ideas and impulses that will sustainably shape the future of the global fiber industry.

Cotton Brazil Dialogues 2026 concludes with 50 international participants immersed in Brazilian cotton production

The Cotton Brazil Dialogues concludes its 2026 edition after a series of technical visits to farms, cotton gins and reference centers, as well as workshops focused on Brazilian cotton production. A total of 50 participants from 14 countries took part in the field trips. The initiative is led by the Brazilian Association of Cotton Growers (Abrapa) and the National Association of Cotton Exporters (Anea), with support from the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil).

Novel flame-retardant and recyclable fiber-reinforced composite

Airplanes and passenger trains must meet strict safety requirements, including fire safety standards. This calls for materials that are flame-retardant, lightweight, robust, and scalable. Empa researchers, in collaboration with their industry partner Elantas, have now succeeded for the first time in making such a material – a composite – fully recyclable.

WHILL selects Teijin’s tough, lightweight Carbon Fiber Composite for new last-mile mobility

Teijin Limited announced today that WHILL Inc., a global leader in inclusive mobility technology, has selected Sereebo® P CFP series, a carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastic (CFRTP) material, for key structural components of the upcoming WHILL Model C Lite. Sereebo® P CFP series provides high strength, light weight, design flexibility and system cost advantages to the Model C Lite, which is a battery powered, single-seat, last-mile device. This new model combines maneuverability with light weight and one-handed folding to ensure ease of handling and operation.