ByteDance Eyes Iluvatar, Baidu AI Chips Amid China’s AI Push 
Kingboard Holdings Shares Surge After HK$11.77 Billion Block Trade to Expand PCB and AI Supply Chain Business 
JD Vance to Lead U.S. Presidential Delegation at Milano Cortina Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony 
Jio IPO Filing Nears as Reliance Targets $4 Billion Market Debut 
LA28 Confirms Olympic Athletes Exempt from Trump’s Travel Ban 
Meta AI Strategy Faces Challenges as Zuckerberg Admits Mistakes in Internal Memo 
Trump Administration Delays DeepSeek and CXMT Trade Blacklist Designations Amid U.S.-China Tensions 
SK Hynix Stock Rebounds as AI Memory Chip Demand Fuels Expansion Plans 
Chinese Social Media Giant Xiaohongshu Eyes Hong Kong IPO at Over $70 Billion Valuation 
Spying, Southampton and economic pressure cooker of the ‘richest match in football’ 
Anthropic Restricts Global Access to AI Models After U.S. Security Review 
Trump Booed at Club World Cup Final, Praises Pele as Soccer’s GOAT 
SpaceX Stock Soars After Historic IPO, Reaches $2.5 Trillion Market Value 
White House Defends Trump’s FIFA Peace Prize Amid Global Criticism 
Marco Rubio Says U.S. Will Block IRGC-Linked Individuals From Iran World Cup Delegation 
Los Angeles World Cup Security Plans: No ICE Immigration Enforcement at FIFA 2026 Matches, Officials Say 
UK Banks Report Surge in APP Fraud Losses as Pressure Mounts on Meta and Tech Platforms 
Under Armour and Celanese have joined forces to develop NEOLAST™, a revolutionary fiber for performance stretch fabrics. This initiative aims to provide the apparel industry with a high-performing and sustainable alternative to elastane, known as spandex.
The introduction of NEOLAST fiber, according to a press release, could potentially address the challenge of recycling performance stretch fabrics, a significant aspect of circular manufacturing.
NEOLAST Fiber: A Sustainable Breakthrough
According to GreenBiz, NEOLAST fibers offer the exceptional stretch, durability, and comfort expected from elite-performance fabrics. Notably, they are designed to tackle sustainability challenges associated with elastane, including recyclability.
Unlike traditional manufacturing methods that involve hazardous chemicals, NEOLASTfibers are produced using a proprietary solvent-free melt-extrusion process.
Step Toward Circular Manufacturing
The production of NEOLAST™ fibers incorporates recyclable elastoester polymers, marking a critical first step in addressing the recycling of blended fabrics containing elastane. This progress aligns with the industry's transition toward a more circular economy. Under Armour and Celanese aim to improve the compatibility of stretch fabrics with future recycling systems and infrastructure, a key consideration for sustainable advancements.
Under Armour's Senior Vice President of Innovation, Kyle Blakely emphasizes the transformative nature of NEOLAST™ fibers. This innovation reflects Under Armour's dedication to building better products for consumers and the planet.
By spearheading performance-driven sustainability and innovation, Under Armour and Celanese enhance athletes' ability to perform at their best while forging a path toward circularity.
Enhanced Precision and Adaptability
NEOLASTfibers boast increased production precision, enabling spinners to finely tune power-stretch levels and engineer fibers to meet various fabric specifications. This adaptability empowers manufacturers and designers to create performance fabrics tailored to specific needs without compromising sustainability or performance.
In addition to their collaboration with Under Armour, Celanese aims to extend the availability of NEOLAST™ fibers across the broader apparel industry. By reducing dependence on elastane, this innovation has the potential to transform the way fabrics are manufactured and recycled, contributing to a more sustainable future.
Photo: Under Armour Newsroom
