The LYCRA Company, DCC to produce bio-PTMEG for LYCRA fiber

The LYCRA Company, a global leader in innovative solutions for apparel and personal care industries, has announced a letter of intent with Dairen Chemical Corporation (DCC) to convert QIRA® into low-impact PTMEG, the primary ingredient in bio-derived LYCRA® fiber. DCC will be the first to mass-produce this low-impact bio-PTMEG at scale.

In September 2022, The LYCRA Company and Qore announced a partnership to produce bio-derived LYCRA fiber with QIRA. DCC now joins this collaboration, converting QIRA into bio-PTMEG, which will constitute 70% of the fiber’s content, exclusively for The LYCRA Company. DCC’s low-impact allyl alcohol process pioneers cleaner and lower carbon footprint PTMEG production compared to conventional methods using natural gas or coal.

The LYCRA Company, Qore, and DCC share a commitment to R&D, health, safety, sustainability, and conservation. To commemorate this partnership, The LYCRA Company’s Chief Brand and Innovation Officer, Steve Stewart, presented DCC with a Green Partner Award, recognizing their sustainability efforts and dedication to low-impact products.

DCC’s chairman, Lin Shean-Tung, emphasizes their joint commitment to reducing carbon footprints and developing eco-friendly solutions, stating that sustainability is crucial for the future. DCC is honored to receive the Green Partner Award and looks forward to advancing sustainable practices with The LYCRA Company.

The patented bio-derived LYCRA fiber made with QIRA is expected to be available in early 2025, marking the world’s first renewable spandex on a large scale. By utilizing annually renewable dent corn, the carbon footprint of LYCRA fiber may potentially be reduced by up to 44% compared to traditional LYCRA fiber. The bio-derived fiber will offer equivalent performance, making it an easy substitution for mills, brands, and retailers.

Steve Stewart expresses excitement about collaborating with DCC to bring bio-derived LYCRA fiber to market, aiming for a more sustainable value chain. The combination of bio-derived input from corn, QORE facility powered by wind energy, and DCC’s low-impact PTMEG process opens the potential for further reductions in production.