Delaware-based The LYCRA Company, which innovates and produces fibre and technology solutions for the apparel, has launched THERMOLITE® EcoMade fibre made from 100 per cent textile waste, now for insulation applications.
As per the company, the new fibre for battings is the latest sustainable offering from one of the most recognised warming technology brands amongst consumers worldwide.
This new warming technology involves recycling textile waste from cutting room floors that would have been sent to a landfill or incinerated, and transforming it into high performance fibres for insulation.
Once fabric scraps are collected from garment makers, they go through a four-step process before becoming a finished product.
The process involves depolymerisation and refining, chip manufacturing, fibre formation and lastly batting and insulation production.
Arnaud Ruffin, VP, Brands and Retail of the company said, “Our new textile waste fibre can be used in unique batting constructions to deliver outstanding warming performance infused with unparalleled sustainable attributes. We are initially promoting the fibre in two versions of insulation—both thin-loft and mid-loft battings— each made with ≥85 per cent of recycled fibres, including ≥50 per cent THERMOLITE® fibre made from recycled PET bottles and ≥35 per cent made from the new textile waste product.”
Adding further, Arnaud said “Both batting offerings deliver durability and outstanding levels of performance combined with unmatched sustainability credentials for the outdoor industry, while warmth per unit weight and other insulation characteristics meet the industry’s highest expectations.”
