#Recycling / Circular Economy

2024-10-17

Lenzing, Kaihara Denim and ROICA™ by Asahi Kasei launch SAISEI Collection, premium stretch denim line made of recycled materials

The Lenzing Group, a leading supplier of regenerated cellulosic fibers for the textile and nonwovens industries, ROICA™ by Asahi Kasei, a pioneer in premium stretch fiber, and Kaihara Denim, the world-renowned Japanese denim manufacturer, join forces for the first time to co-create a premium stretch denim collection, “SAISEI Collection.”

Made of recycled materials with exceptional softness, the stretch denim collection unleashes endless denim design possibilities from everyday chic to workwear with three distinct stretch denim styles

The new collection will debut globally at Kingpins Amsterdam, October 23–24, 2024

The unprecedented collaboration combines Kaihara Denim’s premium Japanese denim craftsmanship, resource-efficient LENZING™ ECOVERO™ fibers with REFIBRA™ technology and sustainable yet durable ROICA™ EF yarn by Asahi Kasei

SAISEI Collection by Lenzing, Kaihara Denim and ROICA™ by Asahi Kasei © 2024 kakel Tetsuya Mukume

The strategic partnership is well-placed to offer the international market a higher composition of recycled materials in denim. Blending LENZING™ ECOVERO™ branded viscose fibers with REFIBRA™ technology(1) with ROICA™ EF recycled stretch yarn and entrusting them with Kaihara Denim’s renowned denim craftsmanship, the high-quality denim collection is brought to light. It will make its first appearance at Kingpins Amsterdam, October 23–24, 2024.

“Through this partnership with Kaihara Denim and ROICA™ by Asahi Kasei, we are taking bold steps to drive denim circularity empowered by joint expertise and devotion,” said Dennis Hui, Global Business Development Manager, Denim at Lenzing. “The synergy between ROICA™ EF yarn, LENZING™ ECOVERO™ fibers with REFIBRA™ technology, and Kaihara Denim’s exceptional craftsmanship has given life to premium, resource-efficient denim fabrics that have sustainability, performance, and style at heart. This partnership not only underscores the shared commitment between Lenzing and our partners to create excellent products while doing better for the environment4, but also serves as a catalyst for driving the transformation towards low impact practices4 across the denim value chain and beyond.”

Dennis Hui, Global Business Development Manager, Denim at Lenzing © 2024 Lenzing

Weaving the future of denim with collective innovation

The new denim collection boasts a special fabric composition, making the most of ROICA™ EF yarn and LENZING™ ECOVERO™ fibers with REFIBRA™ technology thanks to their resource-efficient attributes. ROICA™ EF, made of pre-consumer recycled content as well as featuring excellent stretchability, is integral to the flexibility, and comfort of the fabric. On the other hand, LENZING™ ECOVERO™ fibers with REFIBRA™ technology, comprises up to 20% of post-consumer textile waste, which is sourced from cellulose-rich materials or polyester-cotton blends, supporting natural softness to the denim fabric.

“Our vision for sustainability at Asahi Kasei is to achieve zero emissions and seek to recycle all of our industrial waste,” said Hiroaki Shinohe, Chief Marketing Officer of ROICA Europe at Asahi Kasei. “Our innovative ROICA™ EF yarns, which is 30% lower in CO2 emissions compared to regular yarns, exemplify this dedication. By partnering with Lenzing and Kaihara Denim on a recycling concept that gives new life to pre-used materials, we are able to leverage our collective expertise in sustainable stretch fabrics. We are thrilled that the incorporation of LENZING™ ECOVERO™ with REFIBRA™ technology and Kaihara Denim’s premium denim craftsmanship can provide an exceptional fabric that meets the growing consumer demand for environmentally consicous, comfortable denimwear.”

Redefining denim applications for high-performing, eco-conscious fashion

The collection offers three distinct denim fabrications – super stretch (Monster Stretch by Kaihara Denim), comfort stretch, and low stretch (selvedge denim) – each crafted with Kaihara Denim’s artisanal expertise using the meticulous blend of LENZING™ ECOVERO™ with REFIBRA™ technology and ROICA™ EF. This innovative denim fabric features a subtle bulkiness and reduced drape, delivering a unique hand feel. The versatility of the new denim fabric opens a world of possibilities for fashion designers and brands, empowering them to create stylish, resource-efficient garments that range from everyday chic, casual wear to workwear.

“As Lenzing’s long-standing partner, we are thrilled to be part of this transformative journey with ROICA™ by Asahi Kasei that embodies our concerted efforts towards driving positive change across the global denim landscape,” said Hirofumi Inagaki, Executive Officer, General Manager of Sales Department at Kaihara Denim. “Our long history and established expertise in premium denim manufacturing allow us to unlock the full potential of LENZING™ ECOVERO™ with REFIBRA™ technology and ROICA™ EF, resulting in this innovative, resource-efficient denim collection. Together, we are reshaping the future of sustainable denim applications, both casual and formal, paving the way for a more circular fashion value chain.”

Hiroaki Shinohe, Chief Marketing Officer of ROICA Europe at Asahi Kasei © 2024 Lenzing

The new denim collection will be showcased at the Lenzing booth (no. 12 in blue zone) and ROICA booth (no. 10 in yellow zone) during Kingpins Amsterdam, October 23–24, 2024.

Lenzing confirmed as global leader in Canopy sustainability ranking

Lenzing AG has once again taken first place in this year's Hot Button Report published by the Canadian non-profit organization Canopy. With 34.5 out of 40 points and no known risk of sourcing from ancient and endangered forests, Lenzing remains one of the most sustainable companies in regenerated cellulose fiber production – setting a benchmark for responsible business practices in the textile and nonwovens industries.

Lenzing AG refines strategy and strengthens competitiveness for a challenging environment

Lenzing AG, a leading provider of regenerated cellulosic fibers, refined its strategy to strengthen its global positioning and competitiveness. With this step, the company responds to the ongoing challenges in the global textile and nonwovens markets as well as geopolitical changes. Cornerstones of the refined strategy include focusing on high-performance fibers, enhancing operational efficiency and asset footprint optimization, which should further unlock the company’s full value creation potential.

Lenzing AG accelerates energy transition with expanded renewable energy portfolio

The Lenzing Group, a leading provider of regenerated cellulose fibers for the textile and nonwoven industries, is setting another milestone in the energy transition by expanding its photovoltaic capacities at its Lenzing site. Together with VERBUND, a new PV plant with a capacity of 1.3 megawatts peak (MWp) has been commissioned, increasing the total capacity of the PV plant park to 8.3 MWp. Lenzing is thereby investing in a stable and diversified energy supply and is also making an active contribution to the energy transition.

textile.4U publishes special edition “Top 100 Textile Recycling Companies 2025”

With a comprehensive 176-page special edition, textile.4U is dedicating its latest issue entirely to one of the most dynamic and influential topics in today’s textile industry: textile recycling. The new issue, published exclusively in high-quality print, presents the Top 100 textile recycling companies researched and selected by TexData – organizations that already play a key role in the transition to circular textiles or are expected to have a significant impact in the near future.

Recover™ secures multi-year recycled cotton agreement with H&M

Recover™ has signed a multi-year agreement with H&M to support the integration of its recycled cotton fiber, RCotton, for use in H&M’s products. Since early 2024, H&M and Recover™ have collaborated on product development, which now enables scaled commercial introduction of Recover™ mechanically recycled cotton into H&M’s collections.

Marzoli unveals its new textile ecosystem at ITMA ASIA + CITME 2025 at Singapore

With the claim “Designed to Impact”, Marzoli showcases its evolution into a complete engineering company for the textile industry. By combining advanced machinery, digital intelligence, science of materials and innovative services, the company enables textile manufacturers unlock new business opportunities, and accelerate their path to innovation and differentiation.

ICAC announces postponement of the 83rd Plenary Meeting in Tanzania

Due to unforeseen circumstances arising from the recent developments in Tanzania, the ICAC has announced that its upcoming 83rd Plenary Meeting has been postponed. Scheduled for Nov. 17-20 in Mwanza, the delay was recommended by Tanzania, and the decision was made out of an abundance of caution, prioritizing the safety and well-being of all participants.

TEXTILCOLOR AG launches strategic collaboration with Alpex, Majocchi, and Trans-Textil in the field of Pyroshell™ flame protection

TEXTILCOLOR AG, a leading provider of innovative solutions in textile chemistry, today announces the start of a strategic collaboration with Alpex Protection, Majocchi, and Trans-Textil. Starting November 1, 2025, the partners will jointly advance the flame-retardant finishing of textiles using the patented Pyroshell™ technology at production sites in Germany, France, and Italy.

Huntsman and Steitz Secura deliver breakthrough in sustainable safety footwear

Huntsman, in collaboration with Steitz Secura, has developed a breakthrough polyurethane (PU) solution that can help improve the circularity of safety footwear. Together, the two companies have created a DALTOPED® polyurethane midsole system that can incorporate recycled content without compromising performance – setting a new benchmark in protective footwear production.