Material World is a weekly roundup of innovations and ideas that are reshaping the materials sector. It covers the latest developments in how fashion is designed, engineered, and scaled—from emerging biomaterials and next-generation leathers to engineered fibers and sustainable alternatives.
Arena
Swimwear brand Arena is releasing its first collection using Lycra EcoMade fiber, which is made from 70 percent renewable, plant-based feedstocks. The predominant crop used in Lycra EcoMade is industrial corn, which offers an alternative to fossil fuel-based inputs. For categories like swim, function is important, and Lycra EcoMade is said to perform identically to conventional Lycra while also resisting wear from sunscreen, UV exposure and chlorine. The fabric in the collection—dubbed Vitalife—was created in shades ranging from pastels to deeper hues like a rust red.
“Many of our products already feature recycled fibers such as nylon and polyester, and our collaboration with The Lycra Company, marks a further step towards sustainability,” said Peter Graschi, CEO of Arena. “By introducing bio-derived elastane—sourced from renewable materials—we reduce reliance on virgin fossil-based resources without compromising on quality.”
The collection will launch on Dec. 4 on Arena’s direct-operated e-commerce site before rolling out to sports stores in 2027.
“We believe that every player in the supply chain—from suppliers to brands, up to the final consumer—has a fundamental role,” said Alistair Williamson, vice president EMEA and South Asia of The Lycra Company. “Only through shared commitment can we build a truly sustainable future for future generations.”
xTool
XTool, which specializes in machines that translate digital designs to physical goods, is launching a printer that can be used on both apparel and rigid materials.
Dubbed the xTool O1 Omni Printer, the desktop device houses a range of technologies including direct-to-garment (DTG) and direct-to-film (DTF) printing that can be used to embellish fabrics, as well as UV printing and UV DTF that are more suited for hard surfaces. With this, the machine maker is bringing what were previously separate workflows together into one system.
For apparel and textile designers, this enables printing on both synthetics—for which DTF is a better fit—and on cotton and other natural materials, for which DTG is more applicable. A UV + Fabric Edition of the device is Oeko-Tex certified and produces designs that xTool says last through 50 washes.
Currently in a pre-order phase, the printers will have their official launch on July 15.
Xiamen Jude Webbing
Vietnam-based manufacturer Xiamen Jude Webbing Co., Ltd. is addressing key technical needs for outdoor gear with four tailored production processes. When used for components like backpack and tent straps, webbing is exposed to UV rays and heavy weight that puts tension on the woven material.
Addressing the sun’s impact on color durability, Jude Webbing is using solution dyeing as an alternative to surface dyeing. Pigment is added to the polyester melt, creating color that is embedded in the textile. Using the ISO 105 standard for colorfastness, the webbing was put through a 1,000-hour xenon-arc aging test, which resulted in UV fastness Grade 4.5.
For greater tensile strength, the Bluesign partner is using looms from Muller and Kyang Yhe to create webbing with an even density that lessens the amount the material lengthens when under tension.
Furthering strength, by combining control of yarn tension with heat setting, the maker is able to reduce webbing shrinkage to 3 percent at 100 degrees Celsius. This helps the webbing be paired consistently with hardware such as buckles.
Jude Webbing also offers an optional thermoplastic polyurethane coating to prevent water absorption.
Textiles Recycling Awards
At the Textiles Recycling Expo in Brussels, the first edition of the Textile Recycling Awards honored six recipients who are making progress in the field.
Beyond Retro Ltd and parent company Bank & Vogue took home the prize for Retailer of the Year. Beyond Retro is the company’s vintage clothing seller, operating stores in the U.K. and Sweden, helping to find new homes for pre-loved clothing.
Elis, which makes apparel and textiles for industries ranging from restaurants to retail, was honored for Product of the Year for its Workwear to Workwear product line that incorporates used workwear textiles. The manufacturer has overcome some of the hurdles of workwear recycling—including the fasteners and elastics prevalent in the category—by removing any hard materials during shredding. Elis has been able to recover all the fabric content for reuse, and garments are made with 100 percent recycled material, 60 percent of which is from Elis-recycled fibers.
The Textile Collection & Sorting Award, sponsored by EVK, went to Green Worms Waste Management Private Limited, which works with brands to power collection, sortation and recycling of post-consumer waste.
The Redonate-sponsored Textile Recycling Project of the Year award was given to Circ for its process that can transform polyester-cotton waste into new lyocell, viscose and polyester fibers.
Renasens received the Innovation in Recycling Technology Award for its waterless process that strips dyes and separates fibers in blended garments while leaving them intact. Compared to methods like shredding, this allows recycled fibers to perform like virgin materials.
Rounding out the winners, Epoch Biodesign’s founder and CEO Jacob Nathan received the Rising Star award. Epoch Biodesign uses enzymes to recover nylon from waste textiles—including blended fabrics—and process it into nylon 6 and nylon 6.6.
Organized by plastic market research and consultancy firm AMI, the second annual Textiles Recycling Expo gathered more than 5,600 participants to Brussels Expo from June 24-25.
