At the European launch of Apaptiv Black and Adaptiv Xtra Life at the French fabric market Maredi Moda, Lycra’s vice-president of apparel for Europe and South Asia described the company’s progress toward its sustainability goals.
Alistair Williamson noted the recent successful recycling of a garment comprised of 70% polyester and 30% Lycra; both were recovered after being chemically broken down, and the Lycra was spun into a new fabric.
“The fabric performed the same,” he reported. While he admits that there is still “a long way to go” in terms of separation and recuperation, he adds, “We are pleased about it because we thought it was not possible.”
He described this, as well as the company’s intentions to utilize bio BDO from maize as a raw material – via a partnership with US manufacturer Qore – and a move to renewable resources at its production sites – as means to meet an ambitious 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions between 2021 and 2030.
