Dairen Chemical joins biobased spandex pact

In Taiwan, Dairen Chemical Corporation has joined The LYCRA Company and Qore in developing biobased LYCRA Fiber,  commonly known as spandex.

The three companies have signed a letter or intent to convert QIRA, a biobased 1,4-butanediol produced by Qore, into polytetramethylene ether glycol, a precursor to LYCRA fiber. The deal will make Dairen the first company in the world to mass produce biobased PTMEG at scale. Ultimately, the biobased PTMEG will be used to produce 70% biobased LYCRA fiber with applications in clothing, medicine, and upholstery.

“Our collaboration heralds a brand-new era of environmentally conscious production activities, fueled by our shared commitment to reducing carbon footprints and developing world-leading eco-friendly solutions,” said DCC’s chairman, Lin Shean-Tung. “Sustainability is not merely a trend, but an imperative for the future of our planet. We are honored to receive the Green Partner Award and embark on this journey alongside The LYCRA Company, advancing sustainable practices in the industry.”

The biobased LYCRA is expected to be available in early 2025.