A pioneering lifestyle stretch denim collection has been co-created by ROICATM by Asahi Kasei, a leading manufacturer of innovative stretch fibers, Lenzing, a leading supplier of regenerated cellulosic fibers for the textile and nonwovens industries, and Advance Denim, a well-known Chinese denim manufacturer.The degradable stretch fiber ROICATM V550 (1), Lenzing’s resource-efficient TENCELTM Lyocell fibers (2), and Advance Denim’s proficiency in denim craftsmanship were combined to produce the “LoopTy Collection.” 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
In order to ensure that the products not only offer exceptional comfort and performance with a variety of styles, but also lessen the environmental impact at the end of their lifecycle, ROICATM by Asahi Kasei, Lenzing, and Advance Denim started our journey towards a Circular Economy with a shared vision to innovate responsibly.
TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers, made from sustainably sourced wood pulp (3) and produced using resource-efficient closed-loop process (4) with EU Ecolabel certification (5), offers a soft, smooth, and breathable hand feel to the fabrics (6) while enhancing sustainability with at least 50% less carbon emissions and water consumption (7). Additionally, TENCEL™ fibers are biodegradable in marine water, fresh water, and soil (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. OWS confirmed that this novel fiber partially degrades under ISO14855-1 conditions, converting to CO2 and water. It also achieved a Material Health Gold Level accreditation, making it the first Cradle to Cradle-CertifiedTM stretch yarn in the world.
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.
