GENEVA--Fabric giant Invista is searching for global PR support to help it promote its Lycra brand across a range of markets.

The Holmes Report understands that the company has issued an RFI from its European HQ in Geneva, focusing on such markets as the UK, US, Russia and Spain.

The brief is believed to focus on Lycra, the best known of the Koch Industries-subsidiary’s many fiber and polymer products. In addition to public relations services, agencies are being called on to demonstrate a broad range of marketing communications capabilities.

An Invista spokesperson declined to comment on the review, but the Holmes Report understands that the brief has been received by a number of PR firms across the markets in question.

Lycra forms the core of Invista’s apparel business, despite being a fabric ingredient rather than a fabric itself. The fiber is used in a range of products, including denim, swimwear, outdoor wear and intimate apparel. Invista’s commitment to new Lycra products and innovations is often viewed as helping it maintain a more premium positioning in the market.

Invista was acquired from DuPont by the privately-held Koch in 2004, and then combined with the latter group’s KoSa affiliate. Headquartered at Koch’s base in Wichita, Kansas, Invista now operates across 20 countries in North America, South America, Europe and Asia-Pacific.