French circular knitter D2P Billon has developed a new ultra-fine gauge knitted fabric made using a castor-oil based recycled polyamide yarn. The French knit specialist’s latest addition to its Enola range is a very light knit created on a fine-gauge machine using EVO, Fulgar’s new ‘plant-based’ polyamide, made from castor oil. “We’re extremely satisfied with the result: This very fine count yarn has enabled us to create an excellent 160g fabric with an exceptional handle, far less soapy than polyamides made from petrochemicals,” explained Sales Director Xavier Minsac. “Naturally insulating, the plant-based polyamide offers remarkable intrinsic qualities, breathability, quick-drying, odour-control. We can also use it to deliver new stretch fabrics with 25 per cent Lycra. The first plant-based polyamide developed last year by D2P Billon went no lower than 250g, with just 8 per cent elastane. D2P has further demonstrated its commitment to sustainable development with a recycled polyamide fabric, created using waste from the knitting process. A development project is also underway using a polyamide containing Seaqual, a fibre obtained from waste collected from the ocean depths, which is currently developed on polyesters. Investments in the company’s dye plant are going in the same direction.
