The Lycra Company and Texhong International Group have entered a strategic partnership to operationalize renewable spandex at an industrial scale, specifically targeting China’s dominant core-spun yarn segment. Under the agreement finalized in April 2026, Texhong will exclusively integrate Lycra fiber featuring 30 per cent plant-based content - partially derived from dent corn - into its global cotton textile value chain. This move addresses a critical market gap as China’s elastic core-spun yarn market is projected to expand at an 8.7 per cent CAGR, reaching a valuation of $2.25 billion by year-end.
This collaboration shifts the focus from experimental sustainable capsules to mass-market industrial application. By utilizing bio-derived raw materials, the new fiber retains the elasticity and durability required for performance denim while providing a lower-impact alternative to fossil-based elastics. This partnership provides a mature foundation for commercial adoption," states Jason Wang, Vice President – Asia, The Lycra Company, emphasizing, the initiative aims to move renewable materials from niche segments into the core of global manufacturing.
For Texhong, which reported a 63 per cent increase in net profit to RMB 913 million for fiscal 2025, the partnership serves as a strategic hedge against petroleum volatility and tightening environmental regulations. As the organized share of the synthetic yarn market faces new transparency mandates like the EU’s digital product passport, the integration of bio-based solutions offers a high-value proposition. This synergy leverages Texhong’s massive footprint to accelerate the market penetration of sustainable performance textiles across the global supply chain.
The Lycra Company is a global leader in sustainable fiber and technology solutions for the apparel industry, specializing in branded elastane and performance additives. Texhong International, a top Chinese cotton textile enterprise founded in 1997, reported 2025 revenues of RMB 22.7 billion and remains the world’s largest core-spun yarn supplier, currently expanding into high-margin functional apparel.
