#Yarn & Fiber

2024-07-25

COOLMAX® EcoMade fiber makes summer games debut in Paris

The LYCRA Company, a global leader in developing innovative and sustainable fiber and technology solutions for the apparel and textile industry, has announced that its COOLMAX® EcoMade fiber made from 100% textile waste is a key ingredient in the Brazilian Volleyball team’s indoor and beach jerseys for the 2024 Summer Games in Paris. Body Work, a fitness brand from retailer Riachuelo, created the official uniforms unveiled in a stunning projection on the Christ the Redeemer statue overlooking Rio de Janeiro on June 27, Volleyball Day in Brazil.

Body Work, a fitness brand from Riachuelo, has revealed the official Brazilian Volleyball team shirts for the 2024 Summer Games. The fabric blends two technologies from The LYCRA Company: 92% COOLMAX® EcoMade fiber made from pre-consumer textile waste and 8% LYCRA® fiber to help keep athletes cool, dry, and moving freely. (Photo: Business Wire)

COOLMAX® EcoMade fiber transports moisture away from the body to the surface of the fabric, where it evaporates. This helps athletes stay cool, dry, and comfortable so they can focus on the game. It is one of many innovative branded fibers produced by The LYCRA Company designed to help optimize athletic performance. This technology converts pre-consumer textile waste scraps from garment manufacturers into fibers offering comparable performance to virgin polyester.

“We are thrilled that Brazil’s volleyball uniforms feature 92% COOLMAX® EcoMade fiber made from textile waste and 8% LYCRA® fiber, so we will be rooting for them in Paris,” said Nicolas Banyols, chief commercial officer - apparel, The LYCRA Company. “The benefits of activewear and sportswear with performance fibers are not limited to elite athletes anymore. Consumers of all abilities can now buy these innovative garments at retail, ensuring that everyone can experience the enhanced comfort and performance our fibers offer, in addition to options for durable and sustainable fibers for reduced environmental impact.”

LYCRA® brand fibers, now owned by The LYCRA Company, have been an integral part of the games since 1968, when the French alpine ski team dominated the medal count in Grenoble. The team's ski suits featured LYCRA® fiber, which provided a second-skin fit and greater freedom of movement. The long-standing history of performance and innovation in sports is a testament to the trust and reliability that the company’s fibers offer, instilling confidence in athletes and consumers alike.

“While the silver medal-winning 1984 Brazilian volleyball team uniform was the main inspiration for the design of this jersey, we wanted the fabric to be cutting-edge and future-focused,” said Camila de Paula Souza, Style Manager at Body Work | Riachuelo. “This fabric is designed to provide comfort and is made from textile waste—a win for athletes and a win for the planet.”

Consumers may purchase the official Brazilian Volleyball Team shirts at riachuleo.com. For more information on COOLMAX® EcoMade fiber benefits, visit coolmax.com.

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.

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.

Bio-Derived LYCRA® EcoMade fiber samples make global debut at Kingpins Amsterdam

The LYCRA Company, a global leader in developing innovative and sustainable fiber and technology solutions for the apparel industry, announced today that the first garment and fabric samples made with seed quantities of bio-derived LYCRA® EcoMade fiber will be exhibited at Kingpins Amsterdam, October 23 to 24. This highly anticipated fiber is launching in the first half of 2025 and will be the world's first large-scale production of renewable elastane.

Better, faster, bio-based: Functional new Plastic alternatives

How can new bio-based and biohybrid materials with improved features be developed faster? Six Fraunhofer institutes are jointly exploring this question in the SUBI²MA flagship project, using an innovative bio-based polyamide developed by Fraunhofer researchers as a model. Its specific properties make it a promising alternative to fossil-based plastics.

Toray develops recycling technology that retains carbon fiber strength and surface quality

Toray Industries, Inc., announced today that it has developed a recycling technology that can decompose diverse carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) made from thermosetting resins while retaining the strength and surface quality of those fibers. The company drew on this technology to create a nonwoven fabric employing recycled carbon fibers.

Panty liners prevent bacterial vaginosis

Worldwide, almost one third of women of childbearing age suffer from bacterial vaginosis. This is when the sensitive microbiome of the vagina becomes unbalanced. Such a disorder of the vaginal flora can cause urogenital infections, abscesses on the ovaries or fallopian tubes or premature births. This significantly increases the risk of infertility in women and of contracting a sexually transmitted disease or HIV.

PERFORMANCE DAYS sets benchmarks with record attendance & strong industry presence

With around 4,500 professional visitors and 515 exhibitors, PERFORMANCE DAYS closed its doors on October 30, 2025, after two highly successful days in Munich. Expanded show areas, an international audience, a top-class Expert Talks program, and an inspiring DAY 0 Conference with an innovative concept underlined one thing clearly: PERFORMANCE DAYS has become the leading business platform for the functional textile industry.