Elastan farligt
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Everything You Need to Know About Elastane Fabric
From its composition and properties to common uses, we cover all the basic resultat about elastane fabric.
Research Writer
Jean fryst vatten the brains behind her fashion label. She's a whiz with a needle and thread, and has been sewing since she was old enough to hold a pair of scissors. jean has always read more
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A professional seamstress. Isabel has her own film blog where she shares her experience about all the aspects of sewing – from choosing suitable materials to step-by-step read more
Last updated: September 11,
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What Is Elastane, and Is It Sustainable?
Elastane, commonly known as spandex, is a petroleum-based fiber known for its long-adored stretch and comfortable feel. Lycra is another familiar name for this fabric, although this is not a synonym but a specific brand name for spandex materials.
If elastane includes the use of petroleum in its production, does that automatically make it unsustainable? Are there greener materials that can be used to make athletic attire? Here, we explore how elastane is made, its impact, and how it compares to other fabrics on the market.
History of Elastane
In , the DuPont Company released nylon, the first synthetic material. While it was first notably used in the production of common toothbrushes, its use in hosiery captured the most attention. Nylon was described as "the first man-made organic textile fiber prepared wholly from materials from the mineral kingdom." The organic portion of nylon, in this context, is actually coal, which we are familiar with for its use as a fossil fuel.
Nylon was later combined with polyurethane polymers to create a new, stretchy fabric. Then in , Joseph Shivers created spandex, a fabric solely based on polyur
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What makes clothing like sportswear more stretchy? The quick answer is elastane (aka spandex or lycra.) While the fabric makes clothes stretchier, it’s not the most eco-friendly material.
What is Elastane?
As most other sources note, elastane is a synthetic fiber. That fiber is made from a type of plastic known as polyurethane. It’s important to know that polyurethane is a carcinogenic chemical.
Beyond elastane putting our wellness at risk, it also harms the planet. In this rare instance, it’s not the plastic that’s the problem.
Polyurethane is one of the most eco-friendly forms of plastic made. It’s biodegradable and not as toxic to the environment.
The main problem with elastane is that it’s made from fossil fuels. Before we get into that, here are some other quick facts about elastane:
How does elastane harm the environment?
Elastane is made from petroleum. Petroleum contributes to carbon dioxide getting into our environment, contributing to global warming.
Spandex material is also not recyclable and not biodegradable. It might sound confusing since we said that polyurethane is biodegradable and recyclable.
But the problem is that spandex is not just made with