Fashion for Good has introduced a new initiative called Stretching Circularity, aimed at accelerating the adoption of lower-impact elastane alternatives that are better suited for circular textile systems. The project will carry out pilot-scale trials and create sample garments to test and confirm the performance of both bio-based and recycled elastane options.

To address the concerns around recyclability of the elastane material, Stretching Circularity will focus on two main areas. The first will test new elastane materials made from alternative sources, including bio-based inputs. As part of this work, the initiative will develop two types of T-shirts: a technical version containing 10 percent elastane and a non-technical version with 2 percent elastane.

The second area will examine regenerated elastane created through new recycling technologies. Both approaches will follow pilot-scale validation methods to gather clear and comparable data on performance, environmental impact, cost-effectiveness, and scalability.

The project includes collaboration across the fashion value chain. Participating partners include Levi Strauss & Co (Beyond Yoga), On, Paradise Textiles, Positive Materials, and Reformation, with Ralph Lauren Corporation acting as an adviser.

The initiative follows a structured validation and assessment framework to determine whether alternative stretch materials are not only theoretically suitable but also capable of meeting the performance standards of conventional elastane.