Lycra’s Jean Hegedus to talk bioderived fibre at UN
US fibre developer The Lycra Company’s sustainability director, Jean Hegedus, is set to discuss “designing a better future” during a United Nations Conscious Fashion and Lifestyle Network panel at the latter’s annual meeting in New York City on June 1.
The subject of the panel’s conversation will be number nine of the United Nations (UN)’s 17 sustainable development goals, which focuses on “industry, innovation and infrastructure”.
Ms Hegedus plans to highlight Lycra’s work with Qore to scale up production of a bioderived version of its branded spandex stretch fibres, the manufacturer said.
Qore makes a biobased 1,4-Butanediol alternative called Qira from field or dent corn, the content of which is 70% renewable. Applications include denim and swimwear.
The commercial-scale, renewable Lycra fibres produced with Qira are expected to perform “the same” as its flagship spandex product, the company continued, meaning mill, brand and retail partners will not need to adapt their processes, patterns or fabrics if they decide to include the ingredient in their ranges.
“Our collaboration with Qore enables us to address decarbonisation with much-needed scale and speed,” Ms Hegedus commented. “The Lycra Company is committed to help[ing] our customers reduce their footprint.”
Jean Hegedus. Image credit: The Lycra Company.
