From left to right: Vincent Hu, Greater China Commercial Director, The LYCRA Company/ Jack Yang, R&D Director, Asia, The LYCRA Company/ Wu Zhiqiang, Member of Standing Committee, Nanhai District, Foshan, Guangdong/ Steve Stewart, Apparel Vice President, Asia/ Bob Kirkwood, Chief Technology Officer, The LYCRA Company/ Wang Jue, Deputy Director, Bureau of Commerce, Foshan City/ Hu Defang Managing Director, Derun/ Wu Jianguo, General Manager, Weiyi. Photo © The Lycra Company.

The Lycra Company, a leading provider of fibre and technology solutions for the global apparel and personal care industries, officially opened its new Advanced Textile Innovation Center (ATIC) in Nanhai, China today, 16 May 2019.

The new 4500 square metre Research & Development (R&D) laboratory, which is the company’s fourth, represents a significant increase in the US based firm’s global R&D capabilities.

Scientists at the R&D centre will help mills, brands and retailers throughout Asia, as well as Western-based companies with local sourcing offices, create innovative fabrics and garments using the company’s branded textile solutions, which include LYCRA fibre, LYCRA HyFit fibre, COOLMAX fibre and THERMOLITE fibre. The research team will also engage with customers in opportunity identification, as well as the development and commercialization of new polymer, fibre and textile technologies.

“Developing ground breaking innovations and creating new garment categories are part of our company’s heritage and critical to our success going forward,” said Bob Kirkwood, chief technology officer. “Our investment in ATIC not only enhances our global R&D capabilities, but also demonstrates our commitment to providing exceptional service to our customers based in Asia.”

Bob Kirkwood, Chief Technology Officer, The LYCRA Company. Photo © The Lycra Company.

ATIC is fully equipped with commercial equipment to simulate real world manufacturing processes including knitting, weaving, dyeing and finishing. This will enable the company to deliver unmatched technical support to its customers, ensuring consistent product quality and helping to reduce risk. In addition, the lab has garment engineering, fabric certification and analytical testing tools to help customers achieve desired performance attributes for their fabrics or garments.

As part of the company’s Virtual Lab network, ATIC researchers will be able to collaborate seamlessly with colleagues in labs located across the globe to develop world-class innovations and apply best practices.

“By integrating science with apparel market research, ATIC staff will help guide the development and commercialization of innovative garment solutions designed to meet global apparel market needs,” said Julien Born, president, Apparel. “Co-locating ATIC and our South China sales office, will enable tighter integration between R&D and our commercial team and help our customers accelerate speed-to-market.”

“The Lycra Company, formerly Invista’s Apparel & Advanced Textiles business, has operated as an independent subsidiary of Shandong Ruyi since 31 January. The company has retained its leadership team, and with the support of its primary shareholder, now has the ability to take The LYCRA Company to new heights,” the company said in a statement today.

“Renowned for its history of transforming apparel and revolutionizing the fashion industry, The Lycra Company’s customers can expect the same focus on compliance, quality, innovation, branding and marketing they have experienced in the past.”

The company has operations in 14 countries including four R&D labs, eight manufacturing sites and 17 offices to serve its customers around the world. Its assets include over 1,000 patents and applications, over 2,300 registered trademarks and nearly 250 unique logos and brands.