A renowned leader in pioneering sustainable solutions for the apparel and personal care sectors, the Lycra Company has entered into a formal agreement with Dairen Chemical Corporation (DCC) to convert QIRA, a BDO brand into low-impact PTMEG, a crucial component in their patented bio-derived Lycra fiber.

This collaboration makes Dairen the first global producer of low-impact bio-PTMEG on a large scale. This strategic partnership builds upon The Lycra Company's previous alliance with Qore in September 2022, aiming to facilitate the production of bio-derived Lycra fiber utilising QIRA. DCC's involvement marks a pivotal step in transforming QIRA into bio-PTMEG, a key renewable element constituting 70 per cent of the fiber's composition. DCC's innovative allyl alcohol process ensures the creation of the lowest-impact PTMEG available, surpassing conventional methods using natural gas or coal, thus significantly reducing carbon footprint.

Emphasising the significance of this collaboration, Lin Shean-Tung, Chairman, DCC, says, it fosters environmentally conscious production practices, asserting sustainability as an essential imperative for the future. Slated to be launched in 2025, the bio-derived Lycra fiber made with QIRA, represents a groundbreaking achievement as the world's premier renewable spandex on a large scale.

Leveraging annually renewable corn as a primary resource, initial assessments suggest a potential 44 per cent reduction in carbon footprint compared to conventional Lycra fiber.

Expressing excitement about the partnership with DCC, Stewart underscored their shared commitment to foster a more sustainable value chain. Simon Chuang, Vice President-Global Sourcing and Procurement, The Lycra Company, lauded DCC's sustained sustainability efforts, emphasising the evolving significance of sustainability as a competitive advantage.