Celanese and Under Armour have joined forces to develop a new fiber called Neolast for high-performance stretch fabrics. This innovation promises to not only improve garment performance but also address sustainability challenges in the textile industry.

Neolast offers a viable alternative to elastane (spandex), the industry standard for stretch. It boasts similar stretch, durability, comfort, and moisture-wicking properties as elite performance fabrics, but with a key difference: recyclability.

Traditionally, recycling fabrics containing elastane has been difficult. Neolast tackles this issue by using a solvent-free melt-extrusion process and recyclable elastoester polymers. This paves the way for a more circular economy in the apparel industry.

Kyle Blakely, Senior Vice President-Innovation, Under Armour, says, Neolast helps the brand to create sustainable, high-performance products for our athletes, and Neolast™ helps achieve that goal."

Beyond sustainability, Neolast offers increased production precision, allowing for more precise control over stretch levels and fabric specifications. Celanese plans to make the fiber available to the broader apparel industry, potentially reducing reliance on elastane.