Innovation

The answer to cling-free hosiery has arrived

Explore the latest innovation

Work with the leader in spandex innovation

 

As the original creator of spandex, The LYCRA Company is proud to be the industry leader in fiber innovation. Our patented LYCRA® brand fibers have revolutionized the textile and apparel industry and enhanced people’s lives by adding lasting comfort, fit, and shape to all types of clothing.

Since 1958, LYCRA® fiber innovations have been responsible for the growth of new garment categories like athleisure, as well as transforming existing categories like shapewear and denim with groundbreaking innovations. We’ve also helped start-up clothing brands become fashion icons with our winning combination of innovative technologies and high LYCRA® brand consumer awareness to drive sales.

Our unique innovations can help your business grow.

  • 800+
    patents & applications
  • 2,300+
    registered trademarks
  • 70%
    The percentage of products in today’s LYCRA® fiber catalog that didn’t exist in 2010

Explore our innovation timeline

At The LYCRA Company, we always say innovation is in our DNA. Once you explore our timeline of inventions, you’ll see why. Our stretch technologies have revolutionized the textile and apparel industry and continue to break new ground today.

To see the social and cultural impact LYCRA® brand fibers have had on the world, visit our consumer timeline.

View our consumer timeline

Innovating beyond spandex

Our innovations go beyond spandex (elastane) fibers to include new garment constructions, processing improvements, textile treatments, branding concepts, marketing services and more. We look for pain points that can be solved with new or improved products or processes that add value. Once developed, our scientists work closely with our global mill customers to examine an innovation’s potential for commercialization.

Only unique products that meet a consumer need and deliver lasting performance will earn the LYCRA® brand name and reach the marketplace. The LYCRA Company also excels at storytelling and develops innovative marketing programs, merchandising materials, and reasons to believe to help drive retail sales.

Want to know more? Learn the advantages of working with us.

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Leverage our global capabilities

The LYCRA Company has over 100 PhDs (with over 1,500 years of collective experience) working on the frontiers of spandex fiber and fabric development at four state-of-the-art Research & Development labs around the world. Our newest lab opened in 2019 in Foshan, China, and significantly increased our global R&D capabilities.

Our product development work is guided by proprietary consumer insights, market research, and trend analysis to ensure that any new product is commercially viable.

Our experts work alongside customers to ensure they are getting the full benefit from our unique and durable fibers. They also provide unrivaled technical support.

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Choose groundbreaking innovations

LYCRA® fiber and technology solutions delight consumers by satisfying an unmet need and delivering lasting comfort, fit and performance. Our game-changing products include:

• LYCRA® BLACK technology, the world’s first black spandex fiber, virtually eliminates grin-through.

• LYCRA® dualFX® technology creates best-in-class performance stretch denim with lasting shape.

• LYCRA® FitSense™ technology printed to provide lightweight, targeted support exactly where it’s needed. 

• LYCRA® FUSION™ technology creates run- and ladder-resistant hosiery and tights.

• LYCRA® ADAPTIV fiber enables garments to stretch to fit a wide range of body shapes.

• LYCRA® SPORT technology and its PCE Index™ lets you create performance activewear tailored to fit its end use.

Want to find additional fiber and technology solutions designed to add value to your collections?

Browse our catalog

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