Arena has introduced its first-ever swimsuit collection made with renewable LYCRA EcoMade fibre, marking a significant shift toward bio-based innovation in performance swimwear. The new Vitalife line blends plant-based elastomer technology with advanced chlorine resistance, offering a premium balance of sustainability, durability, and design.
The collection features Vitalife, a next-generation fabric that incorporates LYCRA elastane made from 70% plant-based materials—primarily corn. According to the LYCRA Company, this bio-derived elastomer provides the same elasticity, strength, and UV/chlorine resistance as traditional fossil-based LYCRA, offering brands a pathway to reduce carbon intensity without compromising quality. Arena notes that this aligns with its long-term commitment as a Società Benefit to integrate recycled, organic, and bio-based fibres across its product categories.
For consumers, the line prioritizes both performance and aesthetics. The swimsuits come in three key women’s silhouettes—single shoulder, O back, and swim pro-back—designed to cater to varying training needs and body profiles. The palette brings together nature-inspired tones, from ocean blues to earthy neutrals, presented in combinations such as Morocco-Valencia, Film-Stone blu, and Caviar-Valencia.
The collection is also supported by Turkish freediving champion Sahika Ercumen, whose personal story of overcoming respiratory challenges through water sports reinforces the line’s message of harmony between individual wellbeing and environmental respect. She describes Vitalife as “a manifesto that celebrates life, the environment, and well-being.”
Arena CEO Peter Graschi said the shift to bio-derived elastane is a strategic step aligned with global sustainability expectations, adding that the company has already adopted recycled nylon and polyester across many lines. The LYCRA Company’s VP for EMEA & South Asia, Alistair Williamson, emphasized the importance of shared responsibility across the textile value chain to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support a sustainable future.
The Vitalife swimwear collection launched online on December 4, with availability in selected top sports retailers planned for 2026. For Bangladesh’s performance swimwear and activewear exporters exploring higher-value and sustainable product categories, such developments signal rising global demand for bio-based elastomers, opening opportunities for mills and factories aligning with circularity and renewable raw material integration.
