The synthetic elastic fiber known as spandex, a name which comes from an anagram of “expands,” is used in a wide range of clothing and apparel from sportswear to casual clothing to undergarments.

TOKYO—Asahi Kasei's Fibers & Textiles business units has developed a recycled elastic polyurethane filament (spandex) product, as well as an environmentally friendly spandex product featuring low oil ...