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The Textile Magazine
FEBRUARY 2012
Big spurt in demand for
elastane fibres seen
corporate news
Demand for elastane fibres, known as
spandex in the US and parts of Asia,
is set to grow considerably according
to a new report, “Stretch fibres and
fabrics: reaching new levels of comfort”,
from the business information company
Textiles Intelligence.
In the 10 years to 2010 demand for elastane fi-
bres more than doubled, from around 160,000 tons
to over 350,000 tons, and, despite the availability of
cheaper substitute stretch materials, it will continue
to increase at a rapid pace in the foreseeable future.
Elastane is used in fabrics to impart stretch prop-
erties. Such fabrics represent one of the fastest
growing categories of the apparel market, thanks to
their ability to provide comfort and enhance the ap-
pearance of garments. Stretch fabrics will continue
to maintain an especially high profile in markets
such as workwear and sportswear where freedom of
movement is essential.
Growth in demand for the fibre has been attribut-
ed to a number of factors, including the rise in sales
of garments containing elastane in China, Brazil
and India, and an increase in the number of apparel
applications for stretch fibres and fabrics. Casual
lifestyles supplemented by exercise have spurred
demand for garments such as running tights, biking
shorts, leotards and swimsuits, for which elastane
fabrics are highly suitable.
Demand in the Chinese market is especially high,
and it is estimated to have reached 270,000 tons in
2010. In a bid to strengthen its foothold in the Chi-
nese market and increase capacity, the US fibre and
textile producer Invista announced in May 2011
that it planned to invest more than $227 million in
the expansion of its Lycra elastane plant in Foshan,
China.
However, as a result of increases in production
capacities by several suppliers, the prices of some
types of elastane have come under downward pres-
sure.
In China there were significant falls in elastane
prices in the year to June 2011, and such falls are
seen as a pointer to the elastane industry as a whole.
In the future, numerous opportunities will be cre-
ated for fabric manufacturers who are able to ad-
dress a growing requirement for performance char-
acteristics such as comfort and easy care.
However, established producers of elastane fi-
bres such as Invista, Hyosung, Asahi Kasei and
RadiciSpandex will continue to face stiff competi-
tion, particularly from low-cost producers in Chi-
na. They will also meet growing competition from
manufacturers of other stretch fibres.
Stretch fibres, and elastane in particular, have
become indispensable in view of today’s casual
lifestyles and growing interest in fitness. But as the
market continues to grow, so will the level of com-
petition, and prices will come under greater pres-
sure. The way forward for companies supplying the
market for stretch fibres and fabrics will be to focus
on product innovation, improved product quality,
enhanced performance and intensive marketing.