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Recycled Polyester 4-Way Stretch Fabric
-- Steady & Reliable Manufacturer --
Overview
Our recycled polyester 4-way stretch fabric is a high-performance knit produced from post-consumer recycled PET blended with spandex, engineered for activewear, sportswear, and performance apparel applications requiring reliable elongation and recovery in both warp and weft directions. Its recycled polyester content provides verified lower-impact fiber credentials for brands with documented recycled content sourcing requirements.
Introduction
Four-way stretch — simultaneous elongation and recovery in both length and width directions — is the defining performance requirement for activewear base fabrics used in yoga leggings, sports tights, performance tops, and active outerwear. Recycled polyester spandex delivers this four-way stretch performance using post-consumer recycled PET fiber, combining the mechanical performance of virgin polyester spandex with a lower raw material environmental impact. The spandex component is specified and tested for consistent elongation and recovery through repeated wear and washing cycles, ensuring that garments cut from this fabric maintain their fit profile and performance characteristics through the full commercial lifecycle of the product.
Nantong Tianhong Textile Technology Co., Ltd. produces recycled polyester 4-way stretch fabric under OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certification, in a range of construction types — single jersey, interlock, and double knit — and across a weight range from 160 to 280 gsm, covering the full spectrum of performance activewear base fabric specifications. Our dyeing facility uses closed-loop chemical management and we actively use solar energy in production. We supply this fabric to activewear brands, sportswear manufacturers, clothing factories producing performance garments, and traders serving the technical activewear fabric market. Custom spandex ratio, weight, and color are available, with 15-day sample turnaround.
Specification
| Fiber Content | 85–92% Recycled Polyester, 8–15% Spandex (ratio customizable) |
| Fabric Weight | 160–280 gsm |
| Width | 145–160 cm (57–63 inches) |
| Construction | Single Jersey, Interlock, or Double Knit with Spandex |
| Stretch | 4-Way Stretch; elongation ≥150% warp and weft |
| Shrinkage | ≤3% (after pre-washing) |
| Certification | OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 |
| Customization | Spandex ratio, weight, construction, and color available upon request |
Application
- Yoga Leggings and Studio Activewear: Four-way stretch recycled polyester is the dominant base fabric category for yoga leggings and studio activewear globally. Recycled fiber content adds a verifiable sustainability credential to a high-volume activewear fabric with no compromise in stretch, recovery, or opacity performance versus virgin polyester alternatives.
- Running Tights and Compression Garments: Higher spandex ratios (12–15%) in interlock construction provide the compression fit and recovery performance required for running tights and compression garments — with recycled polyester providing comparable abrasion resistance and color fastness to virgin alternatives at equivalent weights.
- Sports Tops and Performance T-shirts: Lightweight recycled polyester 4-way stretch single jersey (160–190 gsm) is widely used for sports tops and performance T-shirts where moisture management, stretch for movement, and quick-dry properties are all required alongside recycled content documentation for brand sustainability reporting.
- Cycling Shorts and Performance Bottoms: The four-way stretch and strong recovery of recycled polyester spandex support the form-fitting silhouette required for cycling shorts and performance bottoms — maintaining compression and shape through extended active use and repeated washing without significant performance degradation.
- Sustainable Activewear Collections: For activewear brands building collections with documented recycled content targets — increasingly standard in retail sustainability programs — recycled polyester 4-way stretch fabric provides the primary base fabric across multiple garment categories from a single certified recycled fiber supply chain.
Advantage
- Recycled PET for Activewear Sustainability Reporting: Post-consumer recycled polyester reduces dependence on virgin petrochemical fiber. For activewear brands with annual sustainability reporting where recycled content percentage is a standard KPI, this fabric provides a verifiable, supplier-documented recycled material claim across their primary base fabric category — the highest-volume fabric in most activewear collections.
- Consistent Four-Way Stretch and Recovery: The spandex component is specified and tested for consistent elongation (≥150% warp and weft) and recovery force through repeated wear and washing cycles — ensuring that activewear garments maintain their fit profile and performance through the full commercial product lifecycle, reducing consumer fit complaints and brand quality risk.
- Full Construction Range for Activewear Specifications: Single jersey, interlock, and double knit constructions are all available in recycled polyester 4-way stretch — covering the full range of activewear base fabric specifications from lightweight performance tops (single jersey 160–190 gsm) through to heavier compression leggings (interlock 240–280 gsm) within a single certified recycled fiber supply chain.
- Low Shrinkage for Size Consistency Across Production: ≤3% shrinkage after pre-washing ensures consistent size performance across bulk production runs — a direct quality requirement for activewear brands managing size accuracy across multiple production batches and markets, particularly important in compression-fit leggings and tights where fit precision affects consumer satisfaction.
- Responsible Manufacturing Alongside Recycled Fiber: Our closed-loop dyeing systems, specialist wastewater treatment, water recycling, and solar energy use in production provide a manufacturing-level environmental story that complements the recycled fiber content — supporting activewear brands whose sustainability programs require documentation at both the material and manufacturing process levels.
Why Choose Us
- 24 Years Manufacturing Performance Activewear Fabrics: Since 2001, we have manufactured recycled polyester, nylon, and performance stretch knit fabrics for activewear brands, sportswear manufacturers, and performance apparel producers across the USA, Europe, South Korea, and Australia. Our production experience in four-way stretch constructions ensures consistent stretch performance and quality across seasonal bulk programs.
- OEKO-TEX® Certified for Skin Contact Compliance: OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certification covers our recycled polyester 4-way stretch fabric production, confirming restricted substance compliance for direct skin contact activewear applications across all major retail markets.
- Recycled Content Documentation for Sustainability Programs: We provide supplier-level documentation for recycled polyester content. For activewear brands with retail sustainability reporting requirements, please contact us with your specific documentation needs and we will advise on available certification and traceability options.
- Broad Weight and Construction Range: Single jersey, interlock, and double knit in recycled polyester 4-way stretch are all available from 160 to 280 gsm — allowing activewear brands to develop their full base fabric range from a single certified recycled polyester supplier, reducing supplier complexity and streamlining certification management.
- Fast Response and Scalable Capacity: We respond within 24 hours on business days. Samples are delivered within 15 days. Production capacity of up to 1,000 tonnes per month with 500+ sets of equipment supports reliable delivery for large seasonal activewear bulk programs.
FAQ
- Q: What spandex percentage is recommended for yoga leggings versus compression tights?
- For yoga and studio leggings, 8–10% spandex in single jersey or interlock provides sufficient four-way stretch and comfort. For compression tights requiring higher recovery force, 12–15% spandex in interlock construction is recommended. Please specify your target end-use and stretch requirements at inquiry stage.
- Q: Can you provide recycled content documentation for sustainability reporting?
- Yes. We provide supplier-level documentation for recycled polyester content. Please contact us with your specific documentation requirements for your retail program or annual sustainability report and we will advise on available options.
- Q: What construction do you recommend for performance leggings versus sports tops?
- For performance leggings requiring opacity, compression, and shape retention, interlock construction at 220–260 gsm is the standard specification. For sports tops where moisture management, lightness, and freedom of movement are priorities, single jersey at 160–190 gsm is recommended. We can advise on the most appropriate construction for your specific product requirements.
- Q: What is the minimum shrinkage rate for recycled polyester 4-way stretch?
- Our recycled polyester 4-way stretch fabric achieves ≤3% shrinkage after pre-washing — lower than cellulosic fiber alternatives — ensuring consistent size performance across bulk production runs and through the consumer washing lifecycle.
- Q: What are the lead times for samples and bulk activewear fabric orders?
- We respond within 24 hours on business days. Samples are completed within 15 days. Bulk lead times are confirmed based on construction, order volume, and current production schedule.
Payment & Shipping
- Payment Terms: We accept T/T (bank transfer) and L/C (letter of credit). For bulk orders, a 30% deposit is required before production, with the balance payable upon receipt of the bill of lading.
- Quotation: Prices are quoted based on your preferred trade term — FOB, CIF, CNF, or others — confirmed during the inquiry process.
- Sampling: Fabric communication is completed within 3 days; sample production is completed within 15 days.
- Lead Time: With a stable supply chain, we accurately control production schedules to ensure on-time delivery.
- Stock Availability: We maintain a range of fabrics in stock and continuously update inventory to meet urgent requirements. Please contact our sales team for current stock and available styles.
- Export Markets: We regularly ship to the USA, Europe, Southeast Asia, South America, and Australia.
Our R&D Team
The R&D team at Tianhong is typically made up of expert technicians and innovation teams that are focused on the advancement of technology and solutions for fabrics.
Tianhong Story
We proudly put our customers' needs first. We are well aware of the wide application of fabrics in different industries, so we focus on providing a variety of fabric options to meet the specific needs of various customers. During the production process, we always maintain strict quality control to ensure that every piece of fabric meets high standards.
About us
