In order to co-create a revolutionary lifestyle, stretch denim collection, ROICA™ by Asahi Kasei, a leading manufacturer of innovative stretch fibers, teamed up with Lenzing, a leading supplier of regenerated cellulosic fibers for the textile and nonwovens industries, and Advance Denim, a well-known Chinese denim manufacturer. The “LoopTy Collection” was made possible by combining ROICA™ V550 (1), the degradable stretch fiber, with Lenzing’s resource-efficient TENCELTM Lyocell fibers (2), as well as Advance Denim’s proficiency in denim craftsmanship. The partnership satisfies the increasing needs of today’s conscientious shoppers, who are looking for the perfect pair of jeans that are not only fashionable and comfortable but also environmentally friendly and low impact. The LoopTy collection will debut on November 21–22, 2024, at Kingpins Hong Kong.
According to Hiroaki Shinohe, Chief Marketing Officer of ROICA Europe at Asahi Kasei, “The collaboration with Lenzing and Advance Denim represents a strategic opportunity to drive innovation and meet the evolving needs of consumers seeking sustainable and fashion-forward clothing options.” “We can broaden the collection’s market reach and appeal to a wider variety of customers interested in comfortable and sustainable denim items for everyday use by collaborating with industry leaders like Lenzing and Advance Denim. We blend sustainability, creativity, quality, and comfort to create a lifestyle denim line by utilizing the capabilities and experience of each partner. The partnership makes it possible to combine Lenzing’s TENCELTM Lyocell fibers, ROICATM V550, and Advance Denim’s outstanding innovation skills to produce denim that meets the rising demand.
Shared vision for responsible stretch denim
With a shared vision to innovate responsibly, ROICA™ by Asahi Kasei, Lenzing and Advance Denim began our journey towards a Circular Economy, ensuring that the products not only deliver superior comfort and performance with diverse style, but also reduce the environmental impact at the end of their lifecycle.
Produced using a resource-efficient closed-loop process (4) with EU Ecolabel certification (5) and derived from sustainably sourced wood pulp (3), TENCELTM Lyocell fibers give fabrics a supple, smooth, and breathable hand feel (6) while improving sustainability with at least 50% lower carbon emissions and water consumption (7). Furthermore, TENCEL™ fibers decompose in soil, freshwater, and marine environments (8).
Asahi Kasei developed ROICATM V550, a degradable stretch fiber, utilizing unique polymer technology. It offers remarkable stretchability in addition to being a sustainable option for denim clothing. This innovative fiber undergoes partial degradation under ISO14855-1 conditions, as verified by OWS, breaking down into CO2 and water. Furthermore, it holds the distinction of being the world’s first Cradle to Cradle-Certified™ stretch yarn, achieving a Material Health Gold Level certification.
Amy Wang, General Manager of Advance Denim, underlined that from the company’s founding in 1987, sustainability and performance have been its guiding principles. “The ultimate goal for attaining sustainability in the denim business is, in fact, circularity. The Zero Cotton and Zero Virgin Cotton collections, which included classic denim styles made entirely of recycled cotton or without cotton, were the product of our previous partnerships with TENCELTM. These styles provide long-lasting advantages in addition to their distinctive softness. The stretch component was the only thing lacking, and ROICATM V550 has now provided it. It was quite easy to incorporate ROICATM V550 degradable stretch fiber, and it didn’t require any changes to the current production processes. Our most recent joint venture, ROICATM by Asahi Kasei and Lenzing
Versatile denim application for functional and responsible fashion
The LoopTy collection includes both heavy and lightweight materials that work well for tops and bottoms. Because of its adaptability, the new denim fabric opens up a world of possibilities for fashion designers and businesses, allowing them to produce fashionable, eco-friendly pieces that are appropriate for daily casual wear. A one-size-fits-all, inclusive approach to dressing is provided by gender-neutral clothing.
Dennis Hui, Global Business Development Manager, Denim at Lenzing, emphasized, “Our synergy brings a refreshing take on denim that is both fashionable and functional by blending TENCELTM Lyocell fibers with ROICATM V550 degradable stretch yarns and leveraging Advance Denim’s craftsmanship.” The goal of this collection is to satisfy the demands of today’s environmentally conscious shoppers who are committed to making ethical purchases in a fashionable manner (9). Beyond the capsule collection, Lenzing, Advance Denim, and ROICATM by Asahi Kasei have recently partnered. It represents a greater commitment to using creative collaborations to bring about constructive improvements in the denim sector. Collaborative initiatives like this will be essential in determining the future of denim as customers grow more aware of the effects of their fashion choices.
The new denim collection will be showcased at the Advance Denim booth No.22 and Lenzing booth No. 24 during Kingpins Hong Kong, November 21–22, 2024.
