Recyclable elastic yarn offers alternative to spandex
In the new process, resin beads are melted and then extruded into stretchable, wafer-thin fibers that can be recycled (Photo: Felice Frankel)
27 July 2026 – Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed a fully recyclable elastic yarn with mechanical properties comparable to conventional spandex-based fibres. Spandex is an elastic synthetic fiber also known as elastane or Lycra.
Traditional stretch fabrics combine different plastics that are difficult to separate, making most elastic clothing impossible to recycle at the end of its life.
The new yarn consists of two types of polyethylene, a plastic that can be melted and reprocessed without separating its components. In laboratory tests, the material was recycled ten consecutive times while maintaining its strength and elasticity. Worn garments made from the yarn could therefore be remelted into new fibres or transformed into other plastic products.
According to the researchers, the technology could help keep valuable materials in circulation for much longer. It offers a more sustainable alternative to today’s stretch fabrics, which are typically discarded after use because they cannot be efficiently recycled.
