U.S.A.: "Dow XLA" awarded generic by FTC

Dow Fiber Solutions announced that the U.S. Federal Trade Commission has awarded the company's new elastic fiber, "DOW XLA", its own fiber subclass and generic name, "Lastol". The FTC approval underscores the innovative chemistry and unique properties of "DOW XLA", an olefinic-based fiber combining Dow's award-winning "INSITE" technology with a specially-modified, cross-linked polymer. "DOW XLA" fiber brings new levels of efficiency and comfort to the apparel industry, adding a low-to-moderate "comfort stretch" to natural, synthetic or blended fabrics without any special manufacturing conditions or consumer laundering instructions.

Currently, several premier European and U.S. mills have created fabrics with "DOW XLA", and brand owner and retailer adoptions are underway. "The key to adoption in the extremely competitive stretch fiber market is true product differentiation and mill endorsement," said Juan-Carlos Cuadrado, Global Business Director for DPS. "We have already proven that 'DOW XLA' offers significant processing efficiencies at the mill level. The FTC generic subclass designation of Lastol helps to validate that our stretch fiber offers unique chemistry and benefits that, we feel, the entire value chain can enjoy."

"DOW XLA" can withstand extreme heat of over 220(C and harsh chemical treatments at both the manufacturing and consumer level. For mills, this means consistent high-quality results when dyeing, bleaching, mercerizing and weaving stretch fibers with no special conditions or treatments required. These unique properties also allow consumers to follow the same care instructions as their 100% cotton, polyester or cotton/poly blended garments. "DOW XLA" is not affected by the high heat or chemicals typically used in household or industrial machine washing or drying, bleaching or dry cleaning. For brand owners and retailers, "DOW XLA" offers the ability to add soft stretch to even their high-end clothing lines, while maintaining the original feel of the fabric.

"Consumer acceptance of stretch apparel has gone beyond active wear to include broader categories such as men's and women's dress shirts, woven casual wear, and all types of denim - categories where a new ease-of-movement stretch is fresh and welcomed," said Cuadrado. "But while consumers enjoy that extra bit of ease and comfort that stretch brings to a garment, they may not want to be reminded that it's there. 'DOW XLA' virtually disappears into the base fabric without any synthetic feel - and our customers have commented very positively about that."