Advance Denim, TENCEL™ and Roica Align for Eco-Conscious Capsule
Along with fit and comfort, today’s consumers are looking for sustainable wardrobes, and this extends to denim.
One of the key factors that can bring comfort to jeans is stretch. However, the conventional materials such as spandex that are usually used to achieve this fabric flexibility come with an environmental challenge at the end of the garment’s life: They do not biodegrade. Roica V550 by Asahi Kasei is an innovative Cradle to Cradle-certified, degradable stretch fiber that partially breaks down in ISO14855-1 conditions into carbon dioxide and water.
In a new collaboration, denim mill Advance Denim combined Roica V550 with Lenzing’s low-impact, biodegradable TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers. The collection, dubbed LoopTy, made its debut at Kingpins Hong Kong last week.
“By blending TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers with Roica V550 degradable stretch yarns and leveraging Advance Denim’s craftsmanship, our synergy brings a refreshing take on denim that is both fashionable and functional,” said Dennis Hui, global business development manager, denim at Lenzing. “This collection aims to cater to the needs of today’s eco-conscious consumers who are determined to make responsible purchases in style. The latest partnership among Lenzing, Advance Denim and Roica by Asahi Kasei extends beyond the capsule collection. It signifies a deeper dedication to instigating positive changes within the denim industry through innovative partnerships. As consumers become more conscious about the impact of their fashion choices, collaborative efforts like this will be pivotal in shaping the direction of denim’s future.”
This partnership is centered on driving the circular economy forward and creating responsible stretch denim. Contributing to this, TENCEL™ Lyocell is made from wood pulp and has a carbon impact that is 50 percent less than generic lyocell. Because the fibers come from trees, they can return to the earth, and they biodegrade in both water and soil. This complements Roica V550’s degradation so that jeans can leave less of a trace.
The LoopTy lifestyle capsule includes a range of fabric weights for both tops and bottoms. Among the garments created as showcase pieces are gender-neutral and one-size-fits-all styles.
“The partnership 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,” said Hiroaki Shinohe, chief marketing officer of Roica Europe at Asahi Kasei. “By partnering with industry leaders like Lenzing and Advance Denim, we can expand the collection’s market reach and appeal to a broader range of customers interested in sustainable and comfortable daily wear denim products. We leverage the strengths and expertise of each partner and create a lifestyle denim collection that combines sustainability, innovation, quality and comfort. The collaboration allows for the integration of Roica V550, Lenzing’s TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers and Advance Denim’s exceptional expertise in innovation to create denim that aligns with the growing demand for eco-conscious and lifestyle fashion options.”
Advance Denim is a frequent collaborator of Lenzing, and has adopted many of our fiber innovations such as matte TENCEL™ and TENCEL™ LUXE filament yarn.
“Sustainability and performance have always been guiding principles for Advance Denim since its inception in 1987,” said Amy Wang, general manager of Advance Denim. “Circularity is indeed the ultimate aim for achieving sustainability in denim industry. Our past collaborations with TENCEL™ have resulted in the creation of the Zero Cotton and Zero Virgin Cotton collections, which featured vintage denim styles made with no cotton or solely recycled cotton. These styles not only offer unique softness but also boast sustainable benefits. The only missing piece of the puzzle was the stretch element, which is now fulfilled with Roica V550. Incorporating Roica V550 degradable stretch fiber was very user-friendly, requiring no alternations to existing production methods. Our latest collaborative innovation with Lenzing and Roica by Asahi Kasei is a sustainable yet comfortable stretch denim that presents an ideal growth opportunity to create the next level denim styles, thus paving the way for more circular fashion value chain.”