Invista, owner of Lycra fibre and Lenzing, producer of man-made cellulose like rayon, modal etc, are working in tandem to deliver a unique solution to the industry which is cellulosic denim fabrics with significantly improved shape retention. “Given the growing popularity of both Lycra and Tencel fibre in the denim market, it was only natural that people wanted to combine them to come up with really amazing fabrics”, said Federica Albiero, Invista’s Denim Account Manager.

To address these issues Invista looked to its Lycra dualFX fabric technology, which combines two stretch fibres; Lycra fibre and Lycra T400 fibre into a single yarn. Invista ran trials pairing this technology with blends of cotton and Tencel fibre. The trials showed significant improvement in fabric recovery and slippage to the point where the fabric performance met or exceeded Invista’s and the industry’s standards.

“This initiative represents two globally innovative fibre companies working together to provide the denim market with fabrics that meet the performance needs of modern consumers”, says Michael Kininmonth, Senior Project Manager of Denim at Lenzing Fibres Inc. “Superior comfort with stretch and long-lasting recovery are set to become the next core product in women’s wear.” Jeans with Tencel fibre are attractive, durable, and become immediate favourites thanks to their enhanced comfort. The fibre’s smooth surface and optimal moisture transfer benefits turn jeans into articles of clothing that enhance physical well-being while still being on-trend. The revival of Tencel fibre in denim is also due in part to the environmental factor. Blending Tencel into denim fabric results in a significant improvement for the environment because it is made from wood grown in sustainably managed forests.