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How Does An Industrial Corn Help The Textile Industry Speed Up The Decarbonization Process

2024/9/18 12:13:00 3409

　　 How can an industrial corn help the textile industry accelerate the decarbonization process?

　　 As early as ten years ago, LYCRA ® (Lycra ®） The brand launched the world's first bio based elastic fiber, 70% of which is derived from dextrose extracted from industrial corn; In 2022, Leica will cooperate with Qore ® Use QIRA ® Production of bio based LYCRA ® (Leica ®） Fiber, QIRA ® Convert to bio based PTMEG, so that the renewable components of the fiber can reach 70% of the fiber content, and the product is cleaner and has a lower carbon footprint; Now, Lycra has fully launched bio based LYCRA ® (Leica ®） Fiber, which is made of industrial corn, can reduce the carbon footprint by up to 44% *, and is planned to achieve commercial mass production in 2025... Ten years ago, this industrial corn from the field, under the "blessing" of Lycra, has constantly helped the textile industry to accelerate the decarbonization process, quietly staged a quiet and exciting green revolution.

　　 As one of the pioneers and innovators in the field of bio based technology, Lycra has given a model for industrial corn to accelerate the decarbonization of the textile industry, and will completely subvert the future of the spandex industry in the near future.

　　 A new start

　　 Accelerate the journey of decarbonization

　　 Decarbonization is not only a concept, but also a profound reflection and positive response of mankind to the future living environment. As an active promoter and pioneer of this change, Lycra, through its cutting-edge scientific research technology and innovative product solutions, from the use of renewable resources to the development of efficient energy-saving technology, practices the "decarbonization commitment" with practical actions, and unveils the mystery of decarbonization with technological innovation.

　　 At the 2024 intertextile autumn and winter noodle accessories exhibition held recently, The LYCRA Company (hereinafter referred to as "Lycra") displayed a series of innovative achievements such as sustainable development products with 931 square meters of exhibition space. Lycra, together with 25 value chain partners, launched this "accelerated decarbonization journey".

　　 "Leica and Qore ® With the cooperation of the company, the two parties will transform the annual renewable industrial corn into bio based LYCRA ® (Leica ®） Raw material of fiber - QIRA ®， And through fiber technology innovation, QIRA ® Transformed into bio based PTMEG, this unique PTMEG will make LYCRA ® (Leica ®） The renewable component of the fiber reaches 70% of the fiber content, which can reduce the carbon footprint by up to 44%. " Nicolas Banyols, chief commercial officer of Lycra, said that bio based LYCRA ® (Leica ®） The fiber project is the largest and most important project in the history of Lycra. It will be commercially launched in the first half of 2025, and the total output is expected to account for Lycra ®️ 30% of the total fiber capacity.

　　 As the first commercially available renewable spandex fiber in the industry, bio based LYCRA ® (Leica ®） Fiber has three advantages in bio based technology. Nicolas Banyols said that, first, to achieve large-scale production in a larger scale and to achieve economies of scale; Second, the fiber is uncompromising in terms of performance, which is consistent with the existing standard LYCRA ® (Leica ®） Compared with fiber, bio based products can deliver the same performance and quality, and can provide customers with ready to use solutions to help them achieve sustainable ecological and environmental protection goals while ensuring performance and quality; Third, Lycra has a transparent and trustworthy value chain partnership, a whole industry chain and a value chain network, and has expanded bio based LYCRA through cooperation with well-known fiber manufacturers ® (Leica ®） The application scope of fiber in the whole industry chain forms a virtuous circle, helping the industry to comprehensively open up green change.

　　 In terms of carbon emission reduction, bio based LYCRA ® (Leica ®） Fiber and Standard for Using Fossil Raw Materials LYCRA ® (Leica ®） Compared with fiber, it may reduce the carbon footprint by up to 44%. Nicolas Banyols stressed that for the whole fiber, clothing and textile industry brands and textile factories, the realization of decarbonization mainly depends on suppliers, and it is impossible for a single individual to achieve it alone. Only by cooperating with raw material suppliers and manufacturers to develop and establish close cooperation with suppliers can more successful carbon emission reduction be achieved.

　　 Steve Stewart, chief brand and innovation officer of Lycra, said that at present, one of the most important things for the industry is to achieve decarbonization through technological innovation. Therefore, Lycra has been constantly realizing the use of renewable raw materials through the innovation of fiber technology, and accelerating the industrial decarbonization journey.

　　 The vigorous small corn planting fields in the special exhibition area attracted the audience to stop and watch frequently. Through this form of deep link with nature, consumers can feel the endless vitality of bio based materials. By QIRA ® Made of biological base LYCRA ® (Leica ®） Fiber has undoubtedly become the most eye-catching presence on Lycra's booth. With its excellent performance and environmental protection advantages, it has won widespread recognition in the market, and has also set a new benchmark for the sustainable development of the global fashion industry.

　　 Create innovation

　　 Boost industrial upgrading

　　 In the rapidly changing business environment, innovative R&D capability has already become the key factor for the sustainable development of enterprises and industrial upgrading. As a leader in the industry, Lycra has constantly explored new technologies and processes, successfully broken through a series of technical bottlenecks, and achieved a number of core technology achievements with independent intellectual property rights, which also makes Lycra always maintain a leading position in the fierce market competition.

　　 As a leader in the world spandex industry, Lycra has been deeply rooted in the Chinese market since it entered the Chinese market, and constantly provides consumers with differentiated new products. Nicolas Banyols said that, on the one hand, it benefited from the quick reaction ability of Chinese local brands, Chinese market, Chinese partners, etc. in innovation, and on the other hand, it also derived from the innovation driving force of Lycra's carving into DNA.

　　 "Compared with the speed of introducing new products in the West, the speed of introducing new products in the Chinese market is very fast." Steve Stewart also said that Chinese local brands have the willingness to innovate, the appetite for innovation, and the action is very fast. For example, there are 10 new products, most of which will come from the Chinese market, and the company's new fiber commercialization in the Chinese market is very fast. This is one of the reasons why Lycra attaches great importance to the Chinese market.

　　 Referring to the new products launched by Lycra in recent years, Nicolas Banyols said that all new fiber products were displayed at this exhibition. LYCRA ® (Lycra ®） FiT400 ™ fiber contains 60% recycled PET and 14.4% bio based raw materials. It has passed the certification of Global Recycling Standard (GRS). It has a unique two-component fiber, which can optimize the comfort and performance of knitwear. It is durable, soft, and highly elastic all day long, bringing lasting fit and cool comfort; COOLMAX made of 100% textile waste ® EcoMade fiber can bring cool and comfortable feeling to all kinds of clothes, and also THERMOLITE made of 100% textile waste ® EcoMade fiber is suitable for lightweight and warm clothing.

　　 As a new patented innovative technology launched this year, LYCRA FitSense ® (Lycra ® Intelligent plastic ®） Jeans technical clothing samples will also be shown in the exhibition area. This new yarn and clothing technology is very flexible, which can provide directional support in a pair of jeans for the shaping parts that women pay attention to, such as abdomen, waist, thigh and buttocks, while maintaining the appearance and feel of denim fabrics, Promote cowboys to go further into intelligent cowboy crossover.

　　 In addition, LYCRA is widely recognized by global brands and retailers ® ADAPTIV ®） The fiber can increase the inclusiveness of size, provide an inclusive size and second skin like fit effect for sportswear, intimate underwear, jeans, etc., and improve dynamic comfort and fabric functionality.

　　 For 66 years, the leading position in the industry is the best proof of Leica's R&D strength. With its excellent innovation and R&D ability, Leica has enabled high-quality development of the industry with numerous cellulose products that bring forth new products and lead the market demand.

　　 Leading by "new quality"

　　 Building a green future together

　　 With the rapid development of global economic integration and scientific and technological innovation, the cultivation and development of new quality productivity has become an important driving force to promote industrial upgrading and sustainable development. Lycra has always adhered to the concept of openness, cooperation and win-win, actively worked with industrial chain partners to promote the cultivation and development of new quality productivity, and created more development opportunities and values for global partners.

　　 Talking about the transfer and optimization of the global industrial chain, Nicolas Banyols said that indeed, the phenomenon of supply chain transfer should not be underestimated. Whether in South America or Southeast Asia, it is a marginal transfer. Its market size, competitiveness and innovation vitality cannot replace the Chinese market. For industrial chain cooperation partners in different markets, Leica has a differentiation strategy - to achieve customization Customized delivery of products of the same quality. This is also where Leica's core competitiveness lies.

　　 "From the perspective of consumers, cost and price are very important, so Lycra needs to continue to innovate and improve its ability to differentiate." Steve Stewart added that with the growing time of deep cultivation in the Chinese market, we are deeply aware that the Chinese market is becoming more attractive, and more and more brands are emerging, and more and more brands are moving towards differentiation, The Chinese market is still in the process of vigorous development.

　　 How does Leica promote sustainable development with "new quality productivity"? Steve Stewart said that the value chain partners of the whole industry chain in the Chinese market are all committed to "green". In addition to developing a series of green fibers with market competitiveness and environmental protection advantages, we also shoulder social responsibilities.

　　 In 2008, Leica formulated a sustainable development framework, planned a clear sustainable development roadmap, and launched the "Earth Agenda" platform. In 2022 and 2023, Leica released the Earth Agenda Update, which involves all aspects of the company's business, including the 2030 goal, and provides the benchmark performance in 2021. In addition, Lycra signed the Letter of Commitment on the Call to Action of the Scientific Carbon Reduction Initiative (SBTi) to actively promote sustainable development, set the goal of 2030 and make unremitting efforts to achieve the net zero commitment by 2050.

　　 Lycra always adheres to the core concept of sustainable innovative development, promotes industry progress, helps industry upgrade, and its image of leading the industry, outstanding R&D strength and innovative vitality is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. In the future, Lycra will continue to contribute to the high-quality development of the terminal product market from the raw material end with advanced technology and high-quality products, and provide continuous power for consumption upgrading in the new era.