Invista used the IDEAshow last week to launch a new product for the personal care market segment. Lycra HyFit fiber is a breakthrough spandex fiber for hygiene applications that is based on the existing Type-262 Lycra XA fiber formulation currently offered by Invista. This new product simultaneously reduces fiber-to-fiber tack without negatively impacting creep performance. With lower take-off tension than Type-262 Lycra XA fiber, Lycra HyFit fiber can improve the consistency of package delivery with less opportunity for tension spikes. This unique product offering also makes it possible to explore reductions in glue add-on rates to further reduce manufacturing costs. Lycra HyFitis designed for continuous running, which can provide significant cost savings by minimizing downtime and fully utilizing each package down 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.

“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,” said Robert van de Kerkhof, global vice president of stretch performance materials. “We continue to invest in enhancements and expansions to our production capabilities that more efficiently provide all of Invista’s specialized, high-value Lycra fiber products to our customers around the world.”

LYCRA HyFit™ fiber is currently being manufactured in Waynesboro,VA, though Invista’’s intention is to make this new product at regional manufacturing facilities to maintain a global offering with regional support and service.