Spandex yarns

Spandex – the yarn which provides stretch and fit to apparel - is entering the big time. Sales will hit one million tons in year 2020 as more and more garments incorporate this specialist yarn. China dominates the spandex industry with 75% of global production capacity. But market leadership has for decades been held by Lycra which has driven new product development, consumer branding and innovative business methodologies. Industry dynamics are changing rapidly following the Lycra acquisition by Shandong Ruyi earlier this year, rising competition by the larger Chinese producers and the challenge of closed-loop recycling.