Page 96 - May-June-2019

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The LYCRA Company opens

Advanced Textile Innovation

Center in China

New research & development lab demonstrates strong commit-
ment to continuous innovation

commitment to providing exceptional service to our
customers based in Asia.”

ATIC is fully equipped with commercial equipment to
simulate real world manufacturing processes
including knitting, weaving, dyeing and finishing. This
will enable The LYCRA Company to deliver
unmatched technical support to its customers,
Opening of new Advanced Textile Innovation Center (ATIC) in Nanhai, China ensuring consistent product quality and helping to
The LYCRA Company, a leading provider of fiber and reduce risk. In addition, the lab has garment
technology solutions for the global apparel and engineering, fabric certification and analytical testing
personal care industries, officially opened its new tools to help customers achieve desired performance
Advanced Textile Innovation Center (ATIC) in Nanhai, attributes for their fabrics or garments.
China. The new 4,500-square-meter Research &
Development (R&D) laboratory, which is the As part of the company’s Virtual Lab network, ATIC
company’s fourth, represents a significant increase in researchers will be able to collaborate seamlessly with
the U.S.-based firm’s global R&D capabilities. colleagues in labs located across the globe to develop
world-class innovations and apply best practices.
Scientists at the R&D center will help mills, brands and
retailers throughout Asia, as well as Western-based “By integrating science with apparel market research,
companies with local sourcing offices, create innovative ATIC staff will help guide the development and
fabrics and garments using The LYCRA Company’s commercialization of innovative garment solutions
branded textile solutions, which include LYCRA® fiber, designed to meet global apparel market needs,” said
LYCRA HyFit® fiber, COOLMAX® fiber and Julien Born, president, Apparel. “Co-locating ATIC
THERMOLITE® fiber. The research team will also and our South China sales office, will enable tighter
engage with customers in opportunity identification, as integration between R&D and our commercial team
well as the development and commercialization of new and help our customers accelerate speed-to-market.”
polymer, fiber and textile technologies.
The LYCRA Company, formerly INVISTA’s Apparel &
“Developing groundbreaking innovations and Advanced Textiles business, has operated as an
creating new garment categories are part of our independent subsidiary of Shandong Ruyi since
company’s heritage and critical to our success going January 31. The company has retained its leadership
forward,” said Bob Kirkwood, chief technology officer. team, and with the support of its primary shareholder,
“Our investment in ATIC not only enhances our global now has the ability to take The LYCRA Company to
R&D capabilities, but also demonstrates our new heights.

May/June 2019