US athletic apparel brand Under Armour has partnered with specialty materials company Celanese Corporation to unveil Neolast, a sustainable alternative fiber designed for performance stretch fabrics, challenging the recyclability concerns associated with traditional elastane or spandex.

Neolast stands out for its sustainability commitment, utilizing recyclable elastoester polymers in its production process. This marks a crucial step in addressing recycling challenges linked to blended fabrics containing elastane, offering a potential solution to enhance circular manufacturing for stretch fabrics. It is expected to offer powerful stretch, durability, comfort, and improved moisture-wicking properties.

The fibers are produced through a proprietary solvent-free melt-extrusion process, eliminating potentially hazardous chemicals commonly associated with elastane-based stretch fabrics, aligning with Under Armour's dedication to eco-friendly practices. In addition to its sustainability benefits, Neolast fibers claim to provide enhanced production precision, allowing spinners to adjust power-stretch levels and engineer fibers to meet a broader range of fabric specifications.

Kyle Blakely, Under Armour's Senior Vice President of Innovation, highlighted the transformative nature of Neolast, emphasizing the brand's dedication to performance-driven sustainability and innovation. The collaboration with Celanese aims to pave the way toward circularity in the textile industry.