Invista is launching a new fibre for the personal care market segment, LYCRA HyFit, at IDEA 2010 in Miami this week.
LYCRA HyFit is a spandex fibre for hygiene applications based on the existing Type-262 LYCRA XA fibre formulation currently offered by Invista. The new fibre is said to simultaneously reduce fibre-to-fibre tack without negatively affecting creep performance.
With lower take-off tension than Type-262 LYCRA XA fibre, LYCRA HyFit fibre can improve the consistency of package delivery with less opportunity for tension spikes, according to Invista.
This product also makes it possible to explore reductions in glue add-on rates to further reduce manufacturing costs, said Invista.
LYCRA HyFit fibre is said to be designed for continuous running, which can provide significant cost savings by minimising downtime and using each package to the core. It may also be used as a replacement for rubber with three to four times less material required to achieve comparable retractive force, said Invista.
LYCRA HyFit fibre is available in both white and blue with additional colours available upon request.
LYCRA HyFit fibre is designed to meet the needs of customers in the hygiene industry as it offers excellent stretch and recovery for a gentle fit around the legs while allowing garment designs to be thin, quiet and discreet, according to Invista.
Robert van de Kerkhof, global vice president of stretch performance materials at Invista said: “As one of the world’s top providers of stretch solutions for disposable diapers, adult incontinence and personal-hygiene products, Invista remains committed to innovation and growth.
“We continue to invest in enhancements and expansions to our production capabilities that more efficiently provide all of Invista’s specialised, high-value LYCRA fibre products to our customers around the world.”
LYCRA HyFit fibre is currently being manufactured in Waynesboro, Virginia, US, although Invista’s intention is to make this new product at regional manufacturing facilities to maintain a global offering with regional support and service.
