Essentially Rubber: Celanese, Under Armour develop spandex alternative

Leading-edge designs and applications showing how elastomer materials contribute to all aspects of life and lifestyle in the 21st century:

Celanese and athletic apparel manufacturer Under Armour have collaborated to develop a new stretch-fabric fibre. Named Neolast, the material is billed as a “high-performing alternative" to elastane/spandex. The new fibres are produced using a “proprietary solvent-free melt-extrusion process” that, according to Celanese, eliminates potentially hazardous chemicals typically used to create conventional stretch fabrics. Furthermore, the fibres are produced using recyclable 'elastoester' polymers. This, said the developers, will help the textiles industry avoid the difficult technical challenges of recycling blended fabrics containing elastane. Celanese and Under Armour are currently exploring the potential of the fibres to improve the compatibility of stretch fabrics with future recycling systems and infrastructure.