Catch Up on Carved in Blue: The Top Stories from the First Half of 2026
2026 so far has been a busy time for the Lenzing Denim team. We’ve traveled the globe to attend trade shows and visit customers, launched a new mill partnership collection and more.
At this mid-year point, we’re taking a moment to get you up to speed on our top stories from the first half of 2026. Read on for interviews, news and inspiration.
TENCEL™ Lyocell – HV100 Ramps Up with Mill Partnerships and Retail Placement
Since Lenzing Group launched TENCEL™ Lyocell – HV100 last year, the new fiber type has quickly been adopted by denim mills and brands. But it’s just getting started.
At Kingpins Show Amsterdam in April, Lenzing showcased a collection in partnership with international denim mills. Twenty new mills from Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Mexico, Pakistan, Türkiye and Vietnam joined the existing roster of 17 partners that aligned with Lenzing for the debut collection introduced in October. With a presence and supply chain now crossing four continents, brands have more diversified options for sourcing denim containing TENCEL™ Lyocell – HV100.
Lenzing Lends Supply Chain Support to Circ’s Fiber Club Program
Scaling circularity in the textile business is going to take collaboration. A single brand alone might not have sufficient minimum order quantities to support fiber innovation, but if multiple brands join forces and pool demand, they can reach the volumes needed to sustain material manufacturers.
This is the concept behind Circ’s Fiber Club initiative, which recently kicked off its second iteration with C&A, Madewell and Reformation. Lenzing Group also came on board this time around as a supply chain partner, along with Linz Textil. Breaking down barriers to adoption, the collective action is designed to bring circular materials one step further in their commercialization journey.
Material Minds: 3 Experts Discuss Where Fiber Trends Are Headed
Fibers are the building blocks of our clothing, and textile and apparel designers and developers have a growing array of choices at their disposal. Feeding into these decisions are countless priorities—from sustainability and aesthetics to performance and pricing.
2026 has already thrown countless curveballs at the industry as input costs and supply are impacted by conflicts and geopolitics. Despite headwinds, there are still bright spots as innovation and lower impact options stay the course.
Riachuelo Launches Jean Line Made from Viscose, Recycled Cotton and Sugarcane-based Spandex
Riachuelo, one of Brazil’s largest retail fashion brands, is expanding its circularity-focused denim line—Pool Loop—with the launch of the first Brazilian jeans made with viscose containing 20 percent pre- and post-consumer recycled cotton waste and biomass elastane derived from sugarcane. The new fabric is the result of a joint effort by Riachuelo in partnership with the Lenzing Group, a leading supplier of regenerated cellulosic fibers for the textile and nonwovens industries; Creora, a global leader in the production of elastane; and Canatiba Textil, a leader in innovation in the development of responsible denim in Brazil.
The collection features five different styles, including two pairs of women’s pants and two pairs of men’s pants, as well as a jacket, with a total of over 10,000 pieces produced. The new collection became available at 97 of Riachuelo’s high-end concept stores nationwide starting March 30, as well as on the brand’s e-commerce site.
Where to Find TENCEL™ Denim Styles for Summer
Ahead of the official calendar start to summer, the Northern Hemisphere is beginning to experience some warmer weather. In the hotter climate, we seek out lighter washes, airy denim weights and drapey textures.
TENCEL™ Lyocell and Modal are ideal wardrobe warriors when the weather heats up. Breathable, absorbent and soft to the touch, they can help keep you cool and comfortable.