#Man-Made Fibers

2026-06-17

ROICA™ launches new global brand identity and digital experience

ROICA™, the premium stretch fiber developed by Asahi Kasei, today announced the launch of its new global brand identity, including a new key visual and a fully redesigned website. This milestone initiative marks the beginning of a new phase in ROICA™’s evolution as a global brand.

“This brand update marks an important step as ROICA™ enters its next phase of evolution,” said Takaaki Kondo, Senior Executive Manager of the ROICA™ Division at Asahi Kasei.

“Building on over 50 years of expertise, we are strengthening our technologies while enhancing collaboration across the supply chain. Through our new visual identity and digital platform, we aim to clearly communicate ROICA™’s core values—premium quality, continuous innovation, and solutions designed to reduce environmental impact.”

A new brand expression for the next phase

The new brand identity is designed to reflect ROICA™’s next stage as a global brand under the message “STRETCH YOUR FUTURE.”

At its core, the visual concept focuses on the human body, capturing the dynamism of movement and stretch to express the functionality of ROICA™.

Layered graphical elements inspired by extending threads highlight the presence of the premium stretch fiber, while bold composition and the brand’s signature blue create a refined and distinctive visual language. As part of this update, ROICA™ has launched a fully redesigned website aimed at delivering a more intuitive and engaging user experience.

The platform integrates design and content under a consistent direction, supporting stakeholders in gaining a deeper understanding of the brand’s philosophy, technologies, and initiatives. It is designed to present a clearer view of ROICA™’s approach to quality, functionality, and innovation with environmental considerations.

Responding to market transformation and strengthening value

The stretch materials market is undergoing significant change, driven by increasing expectations for respon-sible production and value creation across the supply chain.

In this ever-changing environment, ROICA™ continues to strengthen its product quality, functionality, and service, while advancing developments that contribute to solutions designed to deliver less environmental impact.

Leveraging its proprietary technologies and global network, the brand aims to advance co-creation, working closely with partners to address emerging needs. Guided by its core philosophy and four perspectives—WITH COMFORT, WITH AWARENESS, WITH UTILITY, and WITH ENDURANCE—ROICA™ is aligning its development, partnerships, and communication under a unified global direction.

ROICA™’s new key visual featured on the homepage of its official website. © 2026 ROICA

Driving growth through “One ROICA™”

This brand update represents the first step in ROICA™’s next phase of growth. Looking ahead, ROICA™ will continue to explore new approaches beyond conventional thinking, advancing materials and solutions to help meet changing market demands. Under the banner of “One ROICA™,” the brand brings together its accumulated expertise and collaborative spirit to expand the possibilities of premium stretch fiber alongside partners around the world.

Asahi Kasei Advance to showcase high-performance non-woven and fibers at Techtextil 2026

Asahi Kasei Advance will present its portfolio of high-performance nonwovens, flame-retardant fabrics, and advanced textile and fiber solutions designed for various industries during its first-ever exhibition at Techtextil 2026. Techtextil is the leading international trade show for technical textiles and nonwovens, taking place from April 21-24, 2026, in Frankfurt, Germany. Asahi Kasei Advance will highlight 14 brands, with special focus on four key materials as its debut at the exhibition in Hall 12.1 at booth C35.

ROICA: Where distinction and intention shape the future of apparel industry at Milano Unica

At Milano Unica, held at Fiera Milano (Rho) in Milan from January 20–22, nine select European partners unveil collections shaped by ROICA™—the premium stretch fiber by Asahi Kasei. ROICA™ does not stand alone on the show floor, but its presence is quietly interlaced into each creation, chosen by those who seek distinction and depth in modern textiles. Through these dedicated collaborations, ROICA™ continues to sup-port the apparel industry with advanced stretch, comfort, and environmental care, offering something unique for brands who value true craftsmanship and thoughtful innovation.

January 2026 marks Asahi Kasei’s restart of Bemberg production in restored sections of the Nobeoka facility

Beginning January 2026, production at the Asahi Kasei Nobeoka facility – Bemberg’s only production site – will gradually resume, marking a new chapter following the partial shutdown caused by the April 2022 incident. This progress is the result of significant investments and continuous work toreinforce safety measures, restore full operational capacity, and establish long- term stability.

Rieter sees Barmag integration on track as orders and sales rise

The first half of 2026 was shaped by the successful completion of the largest acquisition in Rieter’s history. The Man-Made Fiber Division enables entry into the growth segment of man-made fibers and sustainably strengthens Rieter’s market position in the Asia region. The expanded Group is now the world’s leading system supplier for the processing of natural and man-made fibers. In the first half of the year, initial cost savings in material costs and operating expenses have already been realized. The targeted synergies are expected to amount to at least CHF 20 million by the end of the 2028 financial year. Due to the completion of the acquisition on February 2, 2026, the first half of the year for the Man-Made Fiber Division only amounts to five months.

Barmag Fuzhou Customer Day concludes successfully, boosting high-quality chemical fiber growth in Fujian & Guangdong

Barmag hosted its Customer Day themed “A New Era. Powered by Innovation.” in Fuzhou on June 28, welcoming nearly one hundred invited customers from Fujian and Guangdong provinces. Georg Stausberg, CEO of Barmag Group, attended along-side the sales and R&D expert China team to jointly present integrated solutions covering the entire man-made fiber value chain.

AMSilk and Ajinomoto Foods Europe expand partnership to enable industrial-scale production of silk proteins

AMSilk GmbH (“AMSilk”), a global leader leader in biotech produced silk materials, today announced a significant expansion of its partnership with Ajinomoto Foods Europe (AFE), marking a key step in scaling the industrial production of its silk proteins. Building on the collaboration first established in 2023, the two companies have now entered into a long-term manufacturing and supply agreement, enabling the transition from industrial validation to dedicated, large-scale production.

EU ban on destroying unsold clothing and footwear now in force

The European Union's ban on the destruction of unsold clothing, clothing accessories and footwear has entered into force. Since July 19, 2026, large companies across the EU have been prohibited from destroying unsold textile products, while medium-sized companies will be required to comply with the same rules from 2030.

Eastman Naia™ brings its inside-out denim vision to Kingpins New York

Following its debut at Kingpins Amsterdam, Eastman Naia™ brings the next chapter of its denim story to Kingpins New York, taking place July 22–23. At Booth Green 7, Naia™ presents its denim proposition built around three complementary design directions: Performance Denim, Fashion Denim and Authentic Denim.