Invista has launched a new innovation for the intimate apparel market with a new fibre – Super White Lycra – in order to address the issue of yellowing.

Invista’s research found that 43% of consumers were disappointed because their white bras turned grey after washing. The figure for pants/briefs was similar at 41%. Super White Lycra fibre – a white elastane that offers superior whiteness durability in intimates, including moulded garments – has been developed to specifically address this problem.

The key benefits of the new fibre are that it is easier to obtain high levels of initial whiteness, especially with high elastane content fabrics; the fibre delivers outstanding whiteness retention in commercial high temperature moulding processes; it is highly compatible with topical fabric treatments therefore prolonging the ‘like new’ appearance even after the topical treatment is washed off; it offers improved prevention of yellowing after exposure to atmospheric contaminants; it delivers innovative aesthetic effects such as brighter pastel shades and enhanced colour.

The fibre has already been adopted by some European mills including Penn Elastic, Willy Hermann and Jersey Lomellina.