10. Apr 2026
Teijin’s stretch polyester presents potential challenge to elastane
Japan’s Teijin has introduced a new stretch polyester yarn that could disrupt the long-standing use of elastane (polyurethane) fibres in performance apparel, particularly in knitted sportswear.
Reported by Knitting Trade Journal, the development centres on a polyester filament engineered to deliver intrinsic elasticity through polymer design and spinning control, rather than through mechanical crimping or added elastomeric fibres.
Rethinking stretch without elastane
Elastane has been the default route to stretch due to its high elongation and recovery, but its incompatibility with polyester can complicate processing and limit recyclability.
Teijin’s approach embeds elasticity at the polymer level, delivering “soft stretchability and high recoverability” while retaining standard polyester processing characteristics. This enables mono-material, 100% polyester fabrics with stretch performance approaching that of polyurethane-based fibres.
Performance and processing advantages
The yarn offers several technical benefits for knitwear manufacturers:
- Elastic recovery comparable to elastane
- Compatibility with conventional polyester processing and finishing
- Improved heat-setting behaviour and dimensional stability
- Greater design flexibility in fabric construction
A key advantage is recyclability. Elastane-blended fabrics are difficult to process in existing recycling streams, whereas a fully polyester-based stretch fabric is more readily compatible with both mechanical and chemical recycling.
Teijin plans to commercialise the yarn for sportswear, casualwear and innerwear from 2027.
Photo: an AI-generated image of stretchable sportswear