PR92323

ZURICH, October 26, 2021, /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/--

HeiQ announces a potential game-changer for the textile industry with the

introduction of HeiQ AeoniQ -- a high performance cellulose yarn based on a new

fiber derived from carbon negative materials. This new fiber, which is derived

from third generation cellulosic biopolymers, is advancing to pilot production

prior to mass commercialization. The LYCRA Company is first to join HeiQ as a

development partner.

Whether it is cotton, wool or synthetic polymers, global textile production has

a significant environmental impact with the industry responsible for more than

10% of global greenhouse gas emissions and over 20% of wastewater worldwide1.

Conventional cellulosic fiber production uses arable land during growth and

have limited design versatility, while raw materials for fossil-based synthetic

materials are finite. Existing methods to recycle textile fabrics and garments

made with all fibers are, for the most part, still not at scale and most fibers

– whether synthetic or natural – take many years to degrade in landfills or

oceans, leading to environmental build up.

HeiQ AeoniQ cellulosic yarn made of climate positive raw materials

HeiQ AeoniQ yarns (Aeon: striving for eternal circularity) are made out of

cellulosic biopolymers that during growth bind carbon from the atmosphere while

generating oxygen. This high-performance yarn is positioned to potentially

substitute synthetic filament yarns which constitute over 60% of global annual

textile output of 108 million metric tons 2. Further, when compared to

conventional cellulosic products, HeiQ AeoniQ yarns do not draw on arable land,

pesticides or fertilizer in their production.

HeiQ AeoniQ yarns are designed for cradle-to-cradle circularity and can be

recycled repeatedly while maintaining consistent fiber quality. The

manufacturing process is expected to consume 99% less water than cotton yarns

and HeiQ AeoniQ is designed to offer comparable performance properties to

polyester, nylon and conventional regenerated cellulose yarns.

Inviting first adopters

HeiQ's leading industry experts stand ready to deliver the first HeiQ AeoniQ

yarns from the pilot production plant in Q2 2022. Given the outstanding

qualities, the unique decarbonizing potential offered and outstanding ESG[3]

credentials, HeiQ is inviting a maximum of 20 sustainability-driven brand

partners to be the first to market with products made of this game-changing

future yarn.

The LYCRA Company as a primary development partner  

HeiQ announces that The LYCRA Company, with its renowned collection of brands,

global retail customer network and fabric innovation capabilities, will be a

primary apparel development partner for HeiQ AeoniQ yarns with an exclusivity

for stretch and performance fabrics. The LYCRA Company has a complete range of

certified, sustainable products and is continuously complementing this range

via the development of new types of LYCRA® fiber. These fibers have the

potential to be combined with HeiQ AeoniQ yarn to create unique decarbonizing

and degradable elastic fabrics.

HeiQ Group co-founder and CEO, Carlo Centonze states: "Climate change needs new

inventions. By bringing HeiQ AeoniQ yarn to the textile industry, we will

reduce our dependence on oil-based fibers, help decarbonize our planet and

reduce the impact of the industry on climate change. Our yarn is a versatile

alternative to polyester, nylon, and even conventional cellulosics and

therefore has huge industry transformation potential. By wearing clothes made

of HeiQ AeoniQ consumers can act in support of reducing C02 in our atmosphere.

Adoption by billions of people offers potential to bind hundreds of millions of

tons of CO2 from the atmosphere. A battle worth the fight."

The LYCRA Company CEO Julien Born notes: "With our future company strategy

centering on sustainable solutions for the textile industry, we are proud to

partner with HeiQ in both the technical development and commercialization of

this fiber.  The industry is ready for innovations such as HeiQ AeoniQ, and by

combining our capabilities with those of HeiQ, we are truly well positioned to

learn quickly and maximize the huge potential of this new technology"

Mr. Martin Gebert-Germ, a viscose filament yarn expert with 30 years of

experience in the textile industry, stated, "This technology is the game

changer for the whole textile industry." Mr. Gebert-Germ, will join the

newly-established HeiQ GmbH Austria as CEO and will be leading the HeiQ AeoniQ

business from November 2021.

1. The World Bank 2019.

2. Statista

3. Environment, Social, Governance

About HeiQ

Founded in 2005 as a spin-off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology

Zurich (ETH) and listed on the London Stock Exchange Main Market (LSE:HEIQ),

HeiQ is a leader in textile and materials innovation creating some of the most

effective, durable and high-performance technologies on the market today. HeiQ

strives to improve the lives of billions of people through pioneering textiles

and materials innovation. Combining three areas of expertise – scientific

research, specialty materials manufacturing and consumer ingredient branding –

HeiQ is the ideal innovation partner to create differentiating and sustainable

products and capture the added value at the point of sale. With its 14 offices,

7 manufacturing sites and 7 R&D hubs, HeiQ today employs 190 professionals. It

has a total capacity of 45'000 tons of specialty chemicals per year and serves

over 1'000 industrial customers in over 60 countries. Today, HeiQ's consumer

goods and medical devices can be found in 56 countries. For more information,

visit www.heiq.com

About The LYCRA Company

The LYCRA Company innovates and produces fiber and technology solutions for the

apparel and personal care industries. Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware,

The LYCRA Company is recognized worldwide for its innovative products,

technical expertise, sustainable solutions, and unmatched marketing support.

The LYCRA Company owns leading consumer and trade brands: LYCRA(R), LYCRA

HyFit(R), LYCRA(R) T400(R), COOLMAX(R), THERMOLITE(R), ELASPAN(R), SUPPLEX(R),

and TACTEL(R). The LYCRA Company's legacy stretches back to 1958 with the

invention of the original spandex yarn, LYCRA(R) fiber. Today, The LYCRA

Company focuses on adding value to its customers' products by developing unique

innovations designed to meet the consumer's need for comfort and lasting

performance. For more information, visit www.thelycracompany.com

CONTACTS

HeiQ Materials AG

www.heiq.com

info@heiq.com

+41 56 250 68 50

Media contact for interview or high-res image:

Loraine stantzos

VP Marketing Communications

loraine.stantzos@heiq.com

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