The world's first! Large-scale production of spandex using bio-based BDO

Recently, LYCRA announced that it has signed an agreement with Qore® to become the world's first company
to use the new generation of 1,4-butanediol (BDO) QIRA as the main raw material for the® commercial production of bio-based spandex.

Through this collaboration, 70% of the composition of LYCRA® ® fiber will come from raw materials
that are renewable every year.
This change is expected to reduce the carbon footprint of LYCRA fibers by up to 44%® ® compared to equivalent products made from raw materials from fossil fuels, while maintaining the same high-quality performance parameters
as conventional LYCRA® ® fibers.

QIRA® will be produced
at Cargill Biotechnology Park and corn refinery in Eddyville, Iowa.
The plant is currently under construction and will begin operations
in 2024.
The first renewable LYCRA fibers made using QIRA® will be produced
in 2024 at LYCRA's® ® Tuas plant in Singapore.
LYCRA is currently engaging with brand and retail customers looking to use bio-based apparel solutions
.

The first generation of renewable LYCRA fibers made from QIRAA will use corn grown by Iowa® farmers as a feedstock, which will significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions
.
® ® In addition to replacing limited resources with annual renewable resources, another advantage for factories, brands and retailers is that there is no change in fiber performance, without any redesign
of fabrics, clothing fits or processes.
In 2014, the LYCRA® ® brand launched the world's first bio-based spandex, demonstrating the same performance
.
LYCRA's technology for manufacturing renewable elastomeric fibers from bio-based BDO has been granted
a patent.

Hyosung TNC introduces bio-based spandex

At the 2022 Seoul Textile & Apparel & Accessories Exhibition, South Korea, Hyosung TNC unveiled the world's first commercialized "creora Bio-based" bio-based spandex, and for the first time at the show
, fabrics made from "creora®® Bio-based" were unveiled.
Based on its excellent elasticity and resilience, it can be applied to all areas where existing spandex is used, such as sportswear, ready-to-wear and casual wear
.

Creora® Bio-based is a bio-based spandex fiber made by replacing 30% of the petroleum resources in spandex raw materials with industrial corn and has been biocertified
by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).