Stretch fibres: expanding horizons beyond elastane

Stretch fibres: expanding horizons beyond elastane

Stretch fibres are key components in the manufacture of textiles and clothing which are designed to offer impressive levels of comfort and fit. Such characteristics are important in clothing applications such as athleisure apparel, compression garments, hosiery, shapewear, sportswear, underwear and workwear. Aside from clothing, stretch fibres are also key components in the manufacture of medical textiles, including bandages and diapers. The most commonly used stretch fibres in textiles and clothing are elastomeric fibres, and the most widely used of these is elastane (spandex). In fact, elastane commands around 67% of the global market for stretch fibres. Other stretch fibres include those made from polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT) and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) polyesters. Despite the widespread use of elastane, it faces some criticism because of the barrier it poses to the effective recycling of textile waste. Also, it has been found to contribute to microfibre pollution. As a result, fibre manufacturers are being spurred to explore alternatives to elastane which are more easily recyclable and less likely to shed microfibre fragments. If a breakthrough is made in this field, the global market for elastane could encounter considerable disruption.