Elastane (spandex) fibers face criticism because of the barrier they pose to the recycling of textile waste, and this criticism is spurring manufacturers to explore alternatives to elastane which are more easily recyclable, according to “Stretch fibres: expanding horizons beyond elastane”— a 34-page report from the global business information company Textiles Intelligence. If a breakthrough is made in this field, the global market for elastane could encounter considerable disruption.