Since the mid-1970's, the industry has been marketing improved yarns made from Elasthane and polyurethane, covered with polyamide or blended with cotton or wool. These yarns could be used for the production of highly elastic legwear and support legwear.

The constant flow of new developments in fibers and fiber blends led to the fact that - since approximately 1984 - more and more legwear articles in the knit hosiery area were being processed with blends of highly elastic Lycra.

Innovations in the production of knit and fine-knit hosiery yarns include microfibers, high-performance fabrics and modal fibers, which are used primarily in the production of athletic socks.

Microfibers have been gaining importance in the market since the mid-1980's. They are much finer than all known natural fibers, and can be used to produce lightweight knitwear with special functional characteristics. The most familiar microfiber is "Tactel", a polyamide-based fiber produced by I.C.I.

Since the 90's, polyester-based Thermax fabrics and yarns - for example "Thermastat" or "Coolmax" by Du Pont - have been used as high-performance fabrics in the athletics area. "Coolmax" has a cooling effect (better breathability and moisture movement) and "Thermastat" has a warming effect (built-in insulation, good moisture movement and a fast evaporation rate). Polypropylene is often used in the foot of athletic socks, since it is moisture-repellent.

Modal fibers are modified viscose fibers. By altering the spinning conditions, characteristics of the fibers can be improved. For example, the fibers are tear-proof when wet, and have a look and feel similar to natural fibers.

In the fine hosiery area, the industry strives to provide constant improvements in the production of yarn. We plan to provide an overview of this development on the 1st Floor in the "Fine Hosiery" theme room in the future.