Empey welcomes the launch of 'Irish Linen plus Lycra'

The Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister, Sir Reg Empey has welcomed the launch of a new Northern Ireland made product which combine the traditional linen with the flexibility of lycra at the world’s biggest exhibition for weavers of apparel and furnishing fabrics.

The fabric was launched at the recent Premiere Vision weaving show in Paris.

Sir Reg said: “This highly innovative product is the result of an important technological breakthrough. It has the backing of Du Pont’s vast and highly successful global brand marketing and will lead to many exciting business opportunities for the Northern Ireland linen industry.

“It is a superb example of how a potentially world-beating product can be created through a sharp focus on innovation and a strong partnership approach. This venture has drawn together the private sector in the shape of local weavers, the main industry body, an international corporation, university researchers and the Industrial Development Board.

“This partnership has contributed to the transformation of Irish linen, one of the world’s oldest and most successful natural materials, into a fabric for the 21st century."

The Premiere Vision weaving show in Paris, which ran from February 20-23, was the selling point for the Ulster product 'Irish Linen plus Lycra' which has received backing from Spence Bryson (a subsidiary of Ulster Weavers), John England Ltd., William Ross, and Derry based Du Pont.

The venture is also supported by the Irish Linen Guild, the University of Ulster and the Industrial Development Board.

(AMcE)