The Lycra Company is launching Lycra naturalFX technology, a proprietary textile finishing process for 100% cotton knit garments designed for mass market applications.

Developed in collaboration with HeiQ, the technology enhances durable comfort stretch, fit and soft hand-feel on 100% cotton knitwear and even after repeated washing and wearing, helps the fabrics retain shape.

“This not only improves the performance of everyday 100% cotton knitwear but is easy for mills to implement as it requires no investment in new equipment,” said Nicolas Banyols, chief commercial officer at The Lycra Company. “We value HeiQ’s technical expertise and are excited to collaborate on the commercialisation of this technology.”

All knits that use the technology can be submitted to The Lycra Company’s labs for quality control testing to ensure all consumer benefits are delivered. New logos will feature both the Lycra and HeiQ brands and will be supported by customisable co-branded POS materials featuring the tagline, In Sync with Nature’s Rhythm.

HeiQ will collaborate and support the introduction through its brand network, as well as manufacturing and selling the finishing technology directly to textile mills, leveraging its established global technical services to deliver optimised performance.

“Combining The Lycra Company’s expertise in stretch fibres with HeiQ’s textile chemical finishing has resulted in a truly unique, added-value technology that provides enhanced performance to cotton knitwear,” said Mike Mordente, head of the textiles business unit at HeiQ. “I am confident that the technology will open up a new generation of enhanced stretch and recovery garments with comfort and durability.”

www.thelycracompany.com

www.heiq.com