RadiciGroup, The LYCRA Company and Triumph Take Circular Fashion Forward with Mixed-Fibre Garment Recycling
Recycling garments made from mixed fibres, long a challenge for the textile sector, has taken a significant step forward. Radici InNova, the innovation-focused division of RadiciGroup, has introduced a patented selective dissolution process capable of separating and recovering both nylon and LYCRA® fibre from multi-material textiles, including swimwear, tights, and leggings.
The development, undertaken in collaboration with The LYCRA Company and lingerie brand Triumph, has been validated through the production of a lingerie set made entirely from recycled nylon and LYCRA® fibre, demonstrating the process’s viability in a closed-loop system. The method uses non-toxic, non-flammable, environmentally compatible solvents, works with nylon types PA6 and PA66, and is economically sustainable by enabling recovery of both fibres regardless of their ratio in the fabric, along with the solvent itself.
“Thanks to this project, textile recycling enters a new dimension, demonstrating for the first time that it is possible to recover fibers from mixed fabrics and reuse them to produce new garments. This is an unprecedented innovation that opens up revolutionary development opportunities for the textile industry. As RadiciGroup, we are proud to have conceived and achieved this important milestone together with our partners, and we are ready to take the next steps,” said Stefano Alini, CEO of Radici InNova.
Nicholas Kurland, Product Development Director, Advanced Concepts at The LYCRA Company, noted: “This innovative project highlights the role that elastane can have in helping to advance circularity in the apparel industry. Working closely with Radici InNova and Triumph, The LYCRA Company has demonstrated that LYCRA® fibres can retain their renowned stretch and recovery performance — providing comfort, fit and ease of movement — even when reintegrated into the spinning cycle.”
The initiative began four years ago with Radici InNova’s research into dissolving and separating mixed textile fibres. Initial tests enabled the recovery of LYCRA® fibre samples, which were sent to The LYCRA Company to assess recyclability. Triumph contributed production surplus fabric containing 16% LYCRA® fibre, from which Radici InNova recovered both nylon and LYCRA® fibres. The LYCRA® fibre was then re-spun, while the recycled nylon was processed into Renycle® yarn. These fibres were used to produce a 60-meter black fabric, which Triumph transformed into a coordinated lingerie set of bra and briefs, exemplifying the potential of closed-loop recycling.
“Although still in its early stages, Triumph is proud to contribute to this pioneering initiative and to explore the potential of this innovative recycling technology for future applications. Our next step will focus on developing a capsule collection, while also working on solutions to ensure product identification, traceability and circularity systems, so that garments can remain in use for as long as possible and, once they reach the end of their life, can be recycled in the most appropriate way. At Triumph, we are committed to promoting innovation and collaboration in the field of sustainability. Being part of this project strengthens our belief that circularity for garments made from mixed textile fibers is possible, and we are proud to help turn this vision into reality,” said Vera Galarza, Global Head of Sustainability at Triumph.