A collaborative approach to fibre, yarn and garment development.
Turning textile waste into activewear
Textile waste is often seen as the end of a product’s lifecycle. In this project, it became the starting point for something new. The LYCRA Company, seamless specialist UTO and Suedwolle Group came together to explore how recycled performance fibres, natural materials and seamless knitting technology could be combined in a shared activewear concept.
Each partner contributed expertise in a different area of textile development, creating a material platform that connects fibre, yarn and garment construction.
Establishing the fibre foundation.
The starting point for the project was COOLMAX® EcoMade fibre from The LYCRA Company. Produced through a textile-to-textile recycling process, the fibre is made from 100% textile waste and serves as the foundation of the material concept. Designed to be blended with other fibres, COOLMAX® technology supports moisture management, cooling and quick-drying performance, bringing these characteristics into the development.
The project partners explored how the fibre could be combined with natural materials and advanced textile expertise to create a yarn platform suited to a range of activewear applications.
Developing the yarn.
To achieve this, Suedwolle Group developed a yarn combining ultrafine Merino wool, COOLMAX® EcoMade fibre and a fine polyamide filament.
The blend was designed to bring together the thermoregulating and moisture-buffering properties of wool with the moisture-management performance of COOLMAX® EcoMade. The result is a versatile yarn developed for next-to-skin comfort and performance across a range of activewear applications.
The blend was designed to bring together the thermoregulating and moisture-buffering properties of wool with the moisture-management performance of COOLMAX® EcoMade. The combination creates a balance of comfort, adaptability and performance, while a fine polyamide filament contributes durability and processing stability. The result is a versatile yarn developed for next-to-skin comfort across a range of activewear applications.
Bringing the concept into garment form.
The final stage of the development takes the yarn into garment form. Using seamless knitting technology, UTO transformed the material concept into wearable products engineered around the body. Rather than relying on conventional cut-and-sew construction, the garments are created directly through seamless knitting, allowing fit, movement and functionality to be integrated into the design.
The result is a collection with four application areas, shaped by the expertise of all three partners. While each application area has its own requirements, they all build on the same material platform and seamless construction approach.
BASE LAYER
As the layer worn closest to the skin, a base layer forms the foundation of the wearing system. Comfort, moisture management and thermoregulation therefore become particularly important. This application highlights how the material platform can support activities across different conditions while remaining comfortable during extended wear.
YOGA
Yoga is all about controlled movement, balance and comfort. Whether flowing through a sequence or holding a pose, the garments are designed to move naturally with the body. Seamless construction helps create a body-adaptive fit, while the wool-rich blend supports a comfortable next-to-skin experience throughout practice.
Our partners
UTO
UTO is a specialist in seamless garment development and manufacturing, with a focus on functional apparel for applications ranging from sports underwear and base layers to running, skiing, hiking and cycling. Combining product development, design and seamless knitting expertise, the company translates performance yarns into finished garments designed around comfort, movement and close-to-body functionality.
The LYCRA Company
The LYCRA Company develops fibre and technology solutions for the global apparel and personal care industries. Its portfolio includes recognised performance brands such as LYCRA®, COOLMAX® and THERMOLITE®, supported by technical expertise and collaboration across the textile value chain. In this project, the company contributed COOLMAX® EcoMade fibre, providing the recycled fibre foundation for the shared activewear concept.
