Cellulosic fibre specialist Lenzing has teamed up with stretch yarn manufacturer Asahi Kasei to develop a portfolio of sustainable and circular-driven knitted fabrics. The fabrics under development will be blends of Asahi’s Roica fibre and Lenzing’s Tencel and Modal fibres, the latter of which is often used in 100% in knitwear.
The predominant Roica variant in use here be Asahi’s V550 fibre which is described as the ‘world’s first’ sustainable degradable stretch yarn. It partially degrades under ISO 14855-1 tested by OWS, decomposing into CO2 and water, and is also a world-first, Cradle to Cradle-Certified stretch (elastane) yarn with a Material Health Gold Level Certificate. Both Tencel and Modal, which are sourced from controlled or certified natural raw materials, are also biodegradable in marine water, fresh water and soil.
Highlighting the significance of the collaboration, Shinohe Hiroaki, Chief Marketing Officer of Roica Europe at Asahi Kasei, commented: ““By joining forces with Lenzing and integrating Tencel fibres with our Roica V550, we are not just creating textiles, we are crafting an additional choice for the future of sustainable fashion. “Our combined efforts will lead to the development of fabrics that not only excel in performance and aesthetics but also significantly contribute to a more sustainable planet.”
Carlo Covini, Business Development Italy and Switzerland at Lenzing Italy, added: “This partnership embodies our shared vision of a more sustainable textile industry. Tencel’s fibre recycling potential, combined with Roica’s innovative stretch degradable technology, will set a new standard for responsible textiles, offering brands and consumers alike a more close to circular approach solution.”
Together, the two fibre manufacturers said they intend to feature the fabrics at a series of upcoming industry exhibition roadshows. The first fabrics, targeted at the yogawear market, have been created by Italian circular knitter Brugnoli and were on show at the recent Performance Days exhibition in Munich.
Cellulosic fibre specialist Lenzing has teamed up with stretch yarn manufacturer Asahi Kasei to develop a portfolio of sustainable and circular-driven knitted fabrics. The fabrics under development will be blends of Asahi’s Roica fibre and Lenzing’s Tencel and Modal fibres, the latter of which is often used in 100% in knitwear.
