FARM TO FIBER

The LYCRA Company and Qore® collaborate on next-gen bio-derived materials

COLLABORATING ON SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS

The LYCRA Company is embarking on a visionary new collaboration with Qore® to help our industry become more sustainable. Qore® is the maker of QIRA®, the brand name for a next-generation 1,4-butanediol (also known as BDO). QIRA® is an innovative, bio-derived BDO made from dent corn. By using this renewable feedstock, we can help reduce CO2 emissions compared to materials made using fossil fuels.

This renewable fiber will be commercially available at scale in late 2025. We are excited about the opportunity to help reduce our impact as well as those of our customers who are focused on sourcing more sustainable materials for their offerings.

THE QORE SITE

THE QORE SITE

Now operational, is located in America’s heartland, in Eddyville, Iowa. Dent corn will be sourced from farms within a 100-mile radius.

MEET FASHIONFARMERS

Learn how dent corn farmers in Iowa are helping to make fashion more sustainable.

Regenerative farming

Steve Kuiper discusses the farming practices he employs to promote healthy soil

Traceability

Learn how the Barrons build trust by meeting the expectations of their customers from a traceability standpoint

Farming families

Meet Amanda and Jackson Drost and see the passion they have for making their land better for future generations

Collaboration

Discover the value of collaboration from the viewpoint of the Barron family

SEEDING A BOLD NEW SOLUTION

  • Made with 70% renewable content derived from field corn

  • Potentially reduces the carbon footprint of LYCRA® fiber by up to 44%*

  • Grown predominantly on wind-powered farms

  • Delivers comparable performance to original spandex fiber

SEE HOW DENT CORN WILL HELP TRANSFORM FASHION

Field corn to fiber

Learn how field corn is being used as an input to make renewable LYCRA® fiber.

Regenerative agriculture

By supporting regenerative agriculture, we can help provide more sustainable choices.

Farming in Iowa

Discover why Iowa is a great place to grow field corn.

Driving impact

Learn how bio-derived LYCRA® fiber will help reduce carbon emissions to create sustainable fashion.

Decarbonization

See the impact our industry has on the planet and discover our decarbonization journey.

LEARN ABOUT BIO-DERIVED RESOURCES

Read our thought leadership posts on important sustainability topics.

Regenerative agriculture and fashion

See why regenerative agriculture is good for business and good for the planet.

Helping to make fashion more sustainable

The LYCRA Company and Qore® join forces to create next-generation bio-derived LYCRA® fiber with QIRA® made from Iowa corn.

Reducing environmental impact

Bio-derived materials represent a tremendous opportunity to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels and the GHG emissions that contribute to global warming.

ABOUT QIRA®

QIRA® is made by Qore®, a joint venture between Cargill, a leader in agricultural and fermentation technologies, and HELM, a leading marketer and distributor of chemicals. QIRA® is their brand of a chemical known as BDO. Unlike standard BDO, which is fossil-fuel based, QIRA® is derived from field or dent corn, an annually renewable resource which is not for direct human consumption. The bio-derived QIRA® will be converted into PTMEG, the key ingredient used in LYCRA® fiber.

EXPLORE INFOGRAPHICS

Corn fractionation

See how field corn works hard for products, people, and the planet.

Field corn end uses

Discover the range of products that are made from one bushel of field corn.

From farm to fiber

Trace the journey of a kernel of corn as it is transformed into sustainable fashion.

READ OUR WHITE PAPER

Learn how we are accelerating the transition from fossil-based ingredients in the apparel and textile industry to renewable resources with bio-derived LYCRA® fiber made with QIRA®.

This report details the benefits of this sustainable and scalable solution, explains regenerative agriculture and how corn is transformed into spandex (elastane) fibers.

Download now

*Estimate from Cradle-to-Gate Screening LCA for a representative LYCRA® fibre manufacturing facility, June 2022, prepared by Ramboll Americas Engineering Solutions, Inc.

QIRA® is a trademark of Qore®.

LET US HELP YOU MEET YOUR SUSTAINABILITY COMMITMENTS

From fibers made with recycled and renewable materials to quality fibers that create durable garments, we are an industry leader in developing sustainable fashion solutions.