Dallas-based materials company Celanese Corporation has worked with sports group Under Armour to develop a fibre, Neolast, which the partners say will give the apparel industry “a high-performing alternative to elastane”.

They have described Neolast as offering powerful stretch properties along with durability, comfort and high levels of moisture wicking, but also recyclability.

The fibre is produced using a proprietary, solvent-free, melt-extrusion process. This process offers what the companies have called “increased production precision”, allowing spinners to dial power-stretch levels up or down and engineer fibres to meet a broad array of fabric specifications.

Celanese chief executive, Tom Kelly, said the company was proud to bring polymer expertise and technical know-how to help manufacture Neolast fibres for textiles and fabrics that will meet the specific needs of customers and other value chain partners. “We are just beginning to unlock its potential and look forward to what’s ahead as we explore other opportunities with end users,” he added.

Speaking for Under Armour, senior vice-president, Kyle Blakely, said Neolast represented “a transformative innovation” for the sports group in particular and for the wider textile industry. He said the company looked forward to working with Celanese “to realise this new fibre’s potential to forge a path towards circularity”.

The fibre will be available to the wider apparel industry, in parallel with its incorporation into Under Armour products.