Gastonia, N.C.-based spandex fiber manufacturer RadiciSpandex Corp., the North American business of the Italy-based RadiciGroup, is developing a line of sustainable RadElast® spandex fibers. According to the company, it is the world's first spandex comprising 80-percent biomaterial derived from corn, as opposed to petroleum-based propylene. The use of biopolymer not only helps reduce dependence on fossil fuels, but the production process emits fewer greenhouse gases and consumes less energy than petroleum-based processes. The RadElast spandex is designed for use in medical/personal care and apparel applications.

"It's going to be a revolutionary innovation in our market," said Marty Moran, CEO, RadiciSpandex. "By using a 100-percent renewably sourced raw material for the production of our spandex, we will develop a product with a reduced environmental footprint. The demand of the market at large, and particularly the personal care and textile sectors, which are our target markets, is increasingly leaning towards so-called 'green' products that help protect the environment. This is the direction we are focusing our efforts on."

The company reports the biopolymer used in the new spandex is more easily processed than chemically produced spandex base materials such as polytetramethylene ether glycol (PTMEG); offers improved long-term cost competitiveness compared to PTMEG-based spandex products; and delivers enhanced finished performance characteristics including increased productivity, improved stretch, reduced deterioration under stress and decreased hysteresis effect.

The new eco-friendly spandex fibers will be produced in the United States and are compliant with Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI) standards.

April 26, 2011