Elastane (spandex) fibres face criticism because of the barrier they pose to the recycling of textile waste, and this criticism is spurring manufacturers to explore alternatives to elastane which are more easily recyclable, according to “Stretch fibres: expanding horizons beyond elastane”—a 34-page report from the global business information company Textiles Intelligence. If a breakthrough is made in this field, the global market for elastane could encounter considerable disruption.
Recycling Challenges Posed by Elastane Fibre Blends in Textiles
Elastane fibres offer unparalleled levels of comfort and stretch in textiles and clothing applications and, as a result, they dominate the global market for stretch fibres. In the years since their development, elastane fibres have established a role as a key component in the manufacture of athleisure apparel, compression garments, hosiery, shapewear, sportswear, underwear and workwear. In other applications, elastane fibres are key in the manufacture of medical textiles, including bandages and diapers.
However, there are concerns that textile and clothing products made from blends containing elastane fibres are difficult to recycle at the ends of their useful lives. Generally, the percentages of elastane fibres in garments are small, but just 1% of elastane fibres in an otherwise all-cotton T-shirt is sufficient for the garment to be rejected at a recycling sorting plant.
As a result, it is critical that elastane fibres are removed from a garment in order to facilitate effective textile waste recycling at the end of the garment’s useful life. But removal is complicated by the fact that existing solvents for separating elastane fibres from other fibres are toxic and hazardous in the environment. Such solvents include dimethylformamide (DMF) and dimethylacetamide (DMA).
The difficulties of recycling textiles and clothing containing elastane fibres are compounded by mounting evidence that the fibres contribute to microfibre pollution. Reportedly, fabrics containing elastane fibres tend to shed more microfibres than fabrics containing other fibres. Also, the amounts of microfibres released from such fabrics as a result of domestic laundering has been found to be particularly alarming.
Bio-Based Alternatives Emerge as Sustainable Challenge to Elastane
In response to concerns associated with elastane fibres, manufacturers are exploring alternatives to elastane which are more compatible with existing recycling technologies and are less likely to cause microfibre pollution.
Such alternatives include stretch fibres which are made using bio-based materials. For example, Covation Biomaterials is producing a stretch fibre called Sorona which is made using propane-1,3-diol (PDO) derived from glucose obtained from corn while Fulgar is producing a stretch fibre called Evo which is made using a biopolymer derived from the oil of castor beans.
Looking ahead, it is likely that further advancements in the development of alternative stretch fibres will pose a risk to the global market for elastane—and they could cause considerable disruption.
In order to secure the future of the global market for elastane, research and investment will be pivotal. In particular, innovation in technologies for reducing microfibre shedding from fabrics which contain elastane fibres will be key, and the development of environmentally sustainable methods for separating elastane from textiles will prove to be critical.
