Overview

Commercialized in 1962, Lycra® brand elastane fiber capped two decades of research to produce a good synthetic elastomeric fiber. Lycra® is a segmented polyurethane. Lycra® was made first in Waynesboro, Virginia. The stretch and recovery properties of Lycra® provide fabrics and garments with comfort, fit and freedom of movement. Textile mills would knit or weave Lycra® – it was never used alone – with virtually every other fiber, including cotton, wool, silk and nylon.

The Lycra® trademark and Lycra® products were divested as part of the INVISTA™ separation in April, 2004.