#Fabrics

2025-12-01

SENSIL® by NILIT and ROICA™ by Asahi Kasei collaborate to reduce apparel’s footprint

Unveiling the concept of a new fabric featuring SENSIL® ByNature, a Biomass Balanced Nylon 6.6, and Biomass Balanced ROICA™ premium stretch fiber at ISPO Munich Hall B1/308 ISPO BrandNew Area © 2025 Asahi Kasei

Rapidly transforming apparel into a lower-carbon industry requires collaboration, innovation, and creativity. In this spirit, SENSIL® by NILIT and ROICA™ by Asahi Kasei have collaborated to introduce the concept of a new fabric with less environmental impact, combining SENSIL® ByNature, a NILIT Biomass Balanced Nylon 6.6 yarn, and Biomass Balanced ROICA™ premium stretch fiber, both designed for high-performance apparel.

Both companies utilize textile raw materials created through the Biomass Balance (BMB) approach, which utilizes renewable feedstocks made from reclaimed and recycled organic waste that does not compete with food sources, nor need the use of land for its production.

SENSIL® ByNature is the first textile Nylon 6.6 yarn for apparel made using a Biomass Balanced renewable feedstock sourced from biogenic waste.

Biomass Balanced ROICA™ premium stretch fiber incorporates renewable raw materials in place of traditional fossil hydrocarbons. ROICA ™ will focus its Biomass Balanced (BMB) efforts at its Taiwan plant, the company’s key reference hub for BMB production.

Because BMB products are identical to traditional products, the resulting fabrics engineered with SENSIL® ByNature and Biomass Balanced ROICA™ retain the comparable comfort, aesthetics, and performance as their conventional counterparts. This means that apparel brands can integrate these environmentally conscious fabrics without redesigning collections.

The companies use Biomass Balance accounting and third-party certification to appropriately allocate the percentage of renewable feedstocks to their products so that brands and consumers can rely on the sustainability claims. In addition, the companies are certified under the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification Plus (ISCC+) system, ensuring rigorous control and transparency in renewable feedstock use across the supply chain.

This partnership will contribute to reducing environmental impact:

NILIT’s SENSIL® ByNature lowers greenhouse gas emissions by about 1.8 kg CO₂ eq per ton of yarn versus traditional nylon.

Asahi Kasei projects that the new ROICA™ Biomass Balanced stretch fiber, combined with manufacturing optimizations, will reduce CO₂ emissions compared to existing products. However, since production decisions have only just been made, exact numbers are not yet available.

When blended, SENSIL® ByNature and Biomass Balanced ROICA™ stretch fiber help designers create outstanding stretch fabrics that substantially reduce a garment’s environmental footprint, lessening reliance on fossil resources, supporting circularity initiatives through renewable inputs, and improving Life Cycle Assessment, while maintaining the premium look, feel, comfort, or stretch performance consumers expect.

Discover more about BMB technologies and experience the next generation of sustainable stretch apparel at ISPO Munich in Hall B₁/308 ISPO BrandNew Area.

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.

Texworld Apparel Sourcing Paris highlights evolving global sourcing landscape

From 31 August to 2 September 2026, Texworld Apparel Sourcing Paris will bring together more than 1,000 international exhibitors at Paris-Le Bourget Exhibition Centre. This edition reflects the new global balance of textile and apparel sourcing, highlighting a strong diversity of sourcing countries — some unexpected.

Eastman introduces Naia™ Lyte at Première Vision Paris, marking a major breakthrough in fiber tenacity for cellulose acetate filament yarn performance

Eastman unveils Naia™ Lyte, a new cellulose acetate filament yarn that represents an important milestone in performance for lightweight and premium fabrics, at Première Vision Paris. Presented for the first time to the international fashion and textile community, Naia™ Lyte expands the capabilities of acetate yarn by introducing enhanced tenacity, unlocking new creative and technical possibilities for designers, mills and brands.

MUNICH FABRIC START: Between Attitude and Sensuality

The future begins where we reimagine it. After seasons of restraint, Spring.Summer 27 marks a conscious counter-trend: optimism, sensuality, and creative freedom are replacing pragmatism and neutrality. Physical presence and individuality are regaining importance – as a response to uncertainty, exhaustion, and algorithmic predictability. The overarching theme of PLEASURE stands for fashion as an emotional space, as an expression of attitude and cultural reflection. Colours, surfaces, and materials become vehicles for self-confidence and joie de vivre.

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.