Textile technology innovation leaders HeiQ and The Lycra Company have entered into a broad-based collaboration across multiple technology and brand platforms aimed at bringing innovative, quality-enhancing and sustainable textiles to consumers around the world.
Building on exploratory discussions that started in early 2019, HeiQ and Lycra have elected to leverage their shared philosophies and strengths in textile science, commercial networks and global marketing to drive innovation platforms into broad textile markets. The companies envision consumer-branded innovations in the stretch, thermoregulation, freshness and sustainability market spaces.
“By combining the strength of both companies, we will continue to drive meaningful innovation within the textile industry, delivering new solutions at a quicker pace to a broader audience,” Steve Stewart, chief brand and innovation officer at Lycra, said.
Together, HeiQ and Lycra bring trusted expertise across the global textile value-chain of yarn processors, fabric mills, garment producers, brands and retailers, and demonstrate a commitment to sustainable, consumer-driven innovations. The Lycra Company is a market leader in branded fibers and fabrics addressing the stretch, warming and cooling market spaces, while HeiQ is well-known in finished-based innovations addressing freshness, sustainability, smart temperature management, antiviral and dryness.
The initial and first of many innovation platforms will roll out through the summer, delivering HeiQ freshness and antiviral benefits with the quality and comfort of stretch fabrics certified to perform with a new Lycra freshFX technology brand standard. Preparation has already begun, with an initial focus on local Chinese value chains. The introduction is earmarked for the Intertextile show in Shanghai at the end of August.
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“Our goal at HeiQ is to enable brands and mills in the textile industry to bring more comfort, performance and sustainability to textile products, while raising brand awareness with key consumers who will benefit the most from these innovations,” Carlo Centonze, co-founder and CEO of HeiQ Group, said. “This collaboration with The Lycra Company not only brings the best minds together but also ensures our breakthrough innovations will be available for and benefit as many consumers as possible.”
The focus will be to address relevant consumer needs for quality, durability and sustainable garments. Sample fabrics and garments will be available in late summer for commercial selection.
“The collaboration is based on a strong foundation of common values and philosophies shared by our two companies,” Lycra CEO Julien Born said. “We look forward to exploring the natural synergies between us and uncovering new solutions for the apparel industry.”
Headquartered in Wilmington, Del., The Lycra Company owns consumer and trade brands Lycra, Lycra HyFit, Lycra T400, Coolmax, Thermolite, Elaspan, Supplex and Tactel.
Listed on the London Stock Exchange Main Market, HeiQ has 14 offices, seven manufacturing sites and seven R&D hubs. It has a total capacity of 45,000 tons of specialty chemicals per year and serves more than 1,000 industrial customers in 60 countries.