Italian hosiery brand Oroblù, part of CSP International Fashion Group, has launched a capsule collection of tights made entirely with bio-derived yarns. The line is the result of a collaboration with yarn producer Fulgar and The Lycra Company.
The tights combine Fulgar’s Q-Geo, a biobased polyamide, with renewable Lycra EcoMade fiber, The Lycra Company’s biobased elastane. According to the companies, it is the first time an Oroblù tights style has used bio-derived yarns for both of its main textile components: polyamide and elastane. The project brings together companies working at different stages of the supply chain, from yarn development through to the finished product.
Almost half of the raw material in Fulgar’s Q-Geo is biobased. Its renewable component comes from industrial corn grown on land not used for rice, wheat or other traditional food crops. Forty percent of the corn kernel goes into the biobased component, while the remainder is used for purposes including food and animal feed production.
According to Fulgar, the yarn absorbs 50% more moisture than standard polyamide and offers improved breathability. It also dries quickly while retaining the strength and durability of polyamide. In addition, Q-Geo is flame retardant without the use of additives.
“Our collaboration with CSP and The Lycra Company is a concrete example of how material innovation can translate into real-world, high-value applications,” said Daniela Antunes, marketing manager at Fulgar. “The use of Q-Geo in combination with Lycra EcoMade fiber has enabled us to contribute to the development of a product in which both of its main textile components are derived from renewable sources.”
The second main component, the elastane, is renewable Lycra EcoMade fiber, which is made from approximately 70% industrial corn not intended for direct use in the human food chain. According to The Lycra Company, the fiber reduces the carbon footprint by up to 45% compared with its conventional fossil-based Lycra fiber, based on a cradle-to-gate assessment.
The resulting tights are semi-opaque and designed for comfort and fit. Intended to be worn with sneakers and booties, the style also features a reinforced sole for added durability and comfort.
