Lycra

LYCRA® fiber is a type of synthetic fiber that is very elastic. Unbranded, is also called Spandex or elastane. Fun fact, the name "spandex" is an anagram of the word "expands".^[1]

LYCRA® fiber was invented in 1958 , United States. It was invented by Joseph Shivers, a chemist. It is made from a combination of polyester and polyurethane.

Because of its elasticity and durability, LYCRA® fiber is often used to make clothing. It is commonly mixed with cotton or other yarns like NYLON to make things like tights, bras, Lycra shirt,Dr199 and underwear. LYCRA® fiber is especially common in sports apparel, such as wrestling singlets. It is also often used to make swimsuits and wetsuits, because LYCRA® fiber is body hugging, tends to dry quickly (pending what it's knitted with) and because its resistant to degrading elements like heat, sunlight, chlorine, etc.

Types of LYCRA® fiber

LYCRA® brand: As an original registration of of the DuPont corporation, the LYCRA® brand is one of the most reliable and high-quality forms of elastane fiber on the market. However, elastane that has been branded as LYCRA® brand can sometimes cost more than other types of spandex due to is quality and other variables.

Elastane: The term "elastane" is most commonly used in Europe, and each continental European language has a slightly different version of this word. Elastane is the most technically correct term used to describe these polyether-polyurea copolymer fabrics.

Spandex: Despite the persistence of a common misconception, spandex is not a registered trademark of any company. Instead, it is the term that DuPont originally used to describe their polyurethane fabric during the development process. "Spandex" is an anagram of "expands," and the attractive simplicity of this name has made it the preferred term for referring to elastane products in the United States and elsewhere.

Where Is LYCRA® fiber Produced? Lycra is a trademark of The LYCRA Company, and it is manufactured a number of facilities across the globe.

Overall, the international spandex industry has shifted eastward in the last few decades as China has risen to the fore as the dominant manufacturing power in the world.

The future of LYCRA® fiber production around the world looks bright. A ReportBuyer report from 2018 indicates that this fabric will continue to be made in greater and greater quantities until at least 2023, and all signs indicate that this production boom will continue far past this projected date. ow

Does LYCRA® fiber Impact the Environment The production of LYCRA® fiber is not considered to be inherently detrimental to the environment. While it's true that the production of elastane fabrics requires high levels of energy and the use of a variety of toxic chemicals, unlike fabrics like nylon, the raw ingredients for LYCRA® fiber are not all derived from non-renewable resources and according to The LYCRA Company there many sustainility goals set forth in their Planet Agenda.