The LYCRA Co. announces SBTi approval of emissions reduction targets

The LYCRA Co., a global developer of innovative and sustainable fiber and technology solutions for the apparel and personal care industries, has announced that the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has approved its near-term science-based emissions reduction targets.

The LYCRA Company has committed to reducing absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 50 percent by 2030 from a 2021 base year. Additionally, the company aims to reduce absolute Scope 3 GHG emissions from purchased goods and services by 25 percent within the same timeframe.

“This has been a two-year effort to identify and select the best options for our business and create a road map for carbon reduction,” said Robert Johnston, executive vice president of operations at The LYCRA Co. “That plan includes changes to our processes, products, and key ingredients, as well as securing buy-in from internal and external stakeholders.”

To reduce Scope 1 emissions, The LYCRA Co. is transitioning to lower-impact energy sources at its production sites, with the conversion of its Maydown, Northern Ireland, site to cleaner fuel sources expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2025.

The company is also reducing Scope 2 emissions by converting purchased electricity to renewable sources through Energy Attribute Certificates, a process completed at production sites in Foshan, China, and Maydown, Northern Ireland, with two additional sites scheduled for conversion over the next two years.

In collaboration with ingredient suppliers, The LYCRA Co. is working to convert to lower-impact inputs to reduce Scope 3 emissions. For instance, the company is partnering with Qore® to develop and commercialize bio-derived LYCRA® fiber at scale, aiming to convert nearly 30 percent of its current spandex capacity to bio-derived LYCRA fiber over the next several years.