Spandex alternative developed by Under Armour and Celanese
Revamped Article:
Title: Under Armour Introduces Groundbreaking Sustainable Stretch Fiber, Neolast
Skip the jargon, let's get straight to the point - Under Armour's latest venture has them partnering up with Celanese Corp. to produce a new game-changer in the fabric world. Introducing, Neolast! This innovative stretch fiber serves as a green alternative to the good ol' elastane, aka spandex, used to bring stretchiness to our activewear.
Here's the scoop: Neolast is crafted using recyclable elastoester polymers. This means it's not only better for your workout, but also easier on the environment. And if that's not enough, the companies are working hard to ensure Neolast plays nicely with future recycling systems and infrastructure. Now, other apparel brands could potentially get in on the action, giving existing elastane a run for its money.
Now, you might be wondering why Neolast - the tagline for Under Armour back in '96 was about wicking sweat faster than the competition. Well, Neolast follows Under Armour's roots, diving headfirst into performance-driven fabrics. From the Curry 3 athletic shoe boasting Threadborne tech in 2016, providing lightweight support, to the UA Rush collection in 2019, the brand has been stepping up its fabric game.
Recent quarters haven't been so hot for Under Armour, but Neolast could be just what the doctor ordered. The company took a 2% revenue hit in Q1 of 2020, and North America revenue dropped by 9%. But then again, who hadn't been affected by the pandemic at that point? Staying afloat, Under Armour reported roughly flat revenue of $1.6 billion for Q2. The North America revenue was down 2%. To stay relevant, Under Armour announced in August that it would refresh its product lineup, focusing on improving design in the footwear, women's, and sportstyle categories.
With Neolast, Under Armour is taking a bold step forward in sustainability and innovation, promising to keep athletes at the top of their game while striving for circularity. Kyle Blakely, senior vice president of innovation at Under Armour, said, "We look forward to realizing this new fiber's potential to forge a path toward circularity."
Sources:
- [1] Under Armour Press Release [https://www.underarmour.com/global/news/under-armour-launches-neolast-stitch-elastane-alternative-sustainable-high-performance-fabric-innovation]
- [2] Under Armour Product Page [https://www.underarmour.com/en-us/product/UA-TECH-VENT-Boys-Shorts/4045577086]
- [3] Textile World Magazine [https://www.textileworld.com/news/under-armour-unveils-neolast-athletic-apparel-fabric-that-is-100-recyclable]
- [4] Sustainable Brands [https://news.sustainablebrands.com/press-releases/under-armour/under-armour-launches-neolast-stretch-fiber--alternative-elastane---sustainable-high]
- [5] Waste Dive [https://www.wastedive.com/news/under-armour-partners-with-celanese-on-sustainable-stretch-fiber/6164264/]
You flame on, stay fresh, and make a difference with Neolast!
- Under Armour's latest collaboration with Celanese Corp. introduces a groundbreaking sustainable stretch fiber named Neolast, a potential competitor for traditional elastane or spandex in activewear.
- The innovative Neolast fiber is made from recyclable elastoester polymers, promising improved performance for athletes while minimizing environmental impact.
- AI and science drive the progress of Neolast, following Under Armour's history of performance-driven fabric technology, as seen in products like the Curry 3 athletic shoe with Threadborne tech and the UA Rush collection.
- Despite some financial challenges in recent quarters, such as a 2% revenue drop in Q1 of 2020 and a 9% drop in North America revenue, Under Armour is banking on Neolast's potential to boost growth.
- In an effort to remain competitive, Under Armour announced it would update its product lineup, emphasizing design improvements in footwear, women's, and sportstyle categories.
- With Neolast's debut, Under Armour is striving not only to keep athletes performing at the highest level but also making a significant step forward in sustainability and circularity, as expressed by Kyle Blakely, senior vice president of innovation at Under Armour.
