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#Man-Made Fibers

arena introduces renewable LYCRA® EcoMade fiber in its latest swimwear collection

Italian swimwear specialist arena has unveiled a new collection that brings sustainability and performance even closer together. Launched on December 4, the line features swimsuits made from recycled nylon and renewable LYCRA® EcoMade fiber — the first time the bio-based spandex has been used commercially in swimwear.


The collection includes three women’s silhouettes in warm, natural tones, produced using Vita Life fabric from long-standing LYCRA® partner Carvico. The combination of recycled and renewable materials reflects arena’s commitment to reducing environmental impact without compromising on technical excellence.

“Sustainability can happen only if all the systems work in the same direction,” said Cristina Cantoni, global PR and communication manager at arena. “This collaboration shows what’s possible when everyone along the value chain moves forward together.”

Carvico’s sales manager, Simona Osio, added that high sustainability standards must go hand in hand with high performance. “With Vita Life, we were able to match both — and that’s why arena chose the fabric.”

The launch also marks another milestone in arena’s broader sustainability journey. Alongside renewable and recycled materials, the products arrive in 100% FSC-certified paper polybags, reducing reliance on fossil-based packaging and supporting ocean conservation initiatives through the supplier’s “Sea the Difference” program.

The three swimsuit styles — one-shoulder, O-back, and swim pro-back — offer options for different preferences while keeping a natural, minimalist design aesthetic. “This collection is for women who put well-being at the center of their lives,” Cantoni said.

The LYCRA Company will bring renewable LYCRA® EcoMade fiber to commercial scale later this year. Made with QIRA® and containing 70% bio-based content from U.S.-grown field corn, the fiber offers the same stretch and recovery properties as classic LYCRA® fiber with a significantly reduced environmental footprint.



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#Man-Made Fibers

The LYCRA Company announces grand opening of its largest global Spandex production facility in China

The LYCRA Company, a global leader in innovative and sustainable fiber solutions for the apparel and personal care industries, today announced the official opening of its largest spandex production facility—the LYCRA® fiber (Yinchuan) Plant in Ningxia Province, China. This milestone underscores the company’s continued investment in the Chinese market and highlights its strong commitment to developing localized supply and distribution networks while advancing smart manufacturing upgrades.

#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

The LYCRA Company goes “ALL IN” at Intertextile Shanghai

The LYCRA Company, a global leader in developing fiber and technology solutions for the apparel and personal care industries, returns to Intertextile Shanghai (Sept. 2–4) with an exclusive global sneak preview of its latest denim innovation.

#Yarn & Fiber

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.

#Yarn & Fiber

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.

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#Man-Made Fibers

Selenis and Kintra Fibers partner to scale 100% bio-based synthetic fiber technology

Selenis, a leading global specialty polyester manufacturer, today announced a strategic manufacturing partnership with materials science company Kintra Fibers to scale Kintra’s patented fiber-grade PBS resin - a 100% bio-based and biodegradable material designed for textile applications.

#Man-Made Fibers

Swiss industrial engineering and manufacturing company Sulzer joins Spinnova’s ecosystem

Sulzer, a Swiss industrial engineering and manufacturing company, has joined Spinnova’s ecosystem (consortium) to enable the availability of SPINNOVA® fibre in the textile materials market. Sulzer will contribute its expertise to support Spinnova’s development work.

#Research & Development

Fraunhofer IAP paves the way for "Green" carbon fibers

A new pilot plant in Guben is set to enable the production of bio-based carbon fibers. The plant is part of the Carbon Lab Factory Lausitz and will make an important contribution to the transformation of the Lausitz region—from a traditionally raw material- and basic industry-oriented region to a hub for innovative high-performance materials. The German federal government and the state of Brandenburg are providing the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP with 53.3 million euros for this purpose.

#Nonwovens

VEOCEL™ Lyocell production expands to Asia – Launching a new chapter for nonwovens in the region

VEOCEL™, Lenzing's flagship specialty nonwovens brand, expands production at its Thai plant in Prachinburi. This is the first-ever production of its nonwoven-grade lyocell fibers in Asia. Built in 2022 with a 100,000-ton annual production capacity, the facility - previously focused on fibers for textile applications - now can directly meet the demand for VEOCEL™’s biodegradable¹, wood-based lyocell fibers for nonwovens products. These fibers are an essential ingredient for high-quality nonwovens products, ranging from baby wipes to facial sheet masks and everyday personal hygiene items.

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#Raw Materials

New study shows low environmental impact by Cotton made in Africa Organic Cotton from Tanzania

Today, the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) is announcing the results of a comprehensive life-cycle analysis (LCA) for cotton produced in Tanzania under the Cotton made in Africa Organic (CmiA Organic) standard. The study emphasises the small ecological footprint of CmiA Organic verified cotton. This can largely be traced back to the absence of synthetic pesticides, artificial fertilisers, and artificial irrigation. Consequently, CmiA Organic cotton can help the textile industry meet regulatory requirements as well as science-based targets. The results also show that the consequences of climate change threaten the livelihoods of these cotton farmers, even though the type of agriculture they practise barely contributes to climate change.

#Raw Materials

Better Cotton Initiative strengthens regenerative focus in standard update

The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) has strengthened the regenerative focus of its field-level standard with the launch of a new version of its Principles & Criteria (P&C), which marks the next step in the organisation’s journey to becoming a regenerative standards system.

#Functional Fabrics

PERFORMANCE DAYS proves its relevance as the industry’s key meeting point

Held on March 18–19, 2026, PERFORMANCE DAYS once again confirmed its position as a leading international platform for functional textiles. A total of 3.366 trade visitors and around 560 exhibitors gathered in Munich, with the event already kicking off successfully on DAY 0, which received highly positive feedback for its interactive format. Despite challenging conditions caused by the public transport strike in Munich, the event saw strong attendance and a consistently high level of activity across both exhibition days.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

Reju secures €135 Million in Dutch NIKI Funding for industrial-scale textile-to-textile regeneration hub at Chemelot Industrial Park, the Netherlands

Reju™, the progressive textile-to-textile regeneration company, has been awarded €135 million in funding under the Netherlands’ Nationale Investeringsregeling Klimaatprojecten Industrie (NIKI) program. The funding will support Reju’s planned industrial-scale Regeneration Hub at Chemelot Industrial Park in Sittard-Geleen, covering both the investment phase and ongoing operations, and represents a critical milestone on the path toward final investment decision.

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