Kingpins Amsterdam, a highly anticipated gathering for the denim world, wrapped up on April 17 after showcasing the latest advancements in innovation and craftsmanship. TENCEL™ was in the middle of the action, showcasing the latest advancements in textile innovation and collaboration.

At the Lenzing booth, attendees were presented with the Application Innovation Collection 2025, a curated assortment of denim developments featuring TENCEL™ and LENZING™ ECOVERO™ fibers. This collection was designed to provide inspiration, focusing on the elements of creativity, engineering, innovation, and sustainability along the textile supply chain. [1]

“With our partners’ trust and support, we at Lenzing believe that meaningful innovation happens at the intersection of collaborative innovations and commercial viability,” said Tuncay Kılıçkan, Head of Global Business Development, Denim at Lenzing AG. “Kingpins Amsterdam has once again proven to be an invaluable platform for showcasing how our fiber technologies can help the industry transition toward more circular and responsible practices.” [1]

Vivian Wang, CEO of Kingpins, echoed, “A collaboration is a great way to demonstrate how a new development can be used in a consumer product. That’s the impetus for many of our initiatives at Kingpins, where we encourage the industry to showcase and educate on the latest sustainable innovations. Kingpins has always been about uniting the entire supply chain – from farms and fiber makers to mills, manufacturing and finishing. By aligning industry action with consumer understanding, that’s the kind of loop I want to see us close. I also suggest companies look beyond traditional practices and consider sustainability in a more holistic way.”

ROICA™ by Asahi Kasei x Kaihara x Lenzing: spotlighting circularity [1] and craftsmanship in denim

This year’s event unveiled a new “Made in Japan” Hall to spotlight unique collections from leading Japanese mills and manufacturers. Lenzing partnered with ROICA™ by Asahi Kasei and Kaihara on the SAISEI collection, a project focused on the fusion of circular materials [1] and Japanese premium denim craftsmanship. The collection, featuring three distinct denim fabrications – super stretch (Monster Stretch by Kaihara Denim), comfort stretch, and low stretch (selvedge denim) – incorporated Kaihara Denim’s artisanal expertise into recycled materials, including LENZING™ ECOVERO™ branded viscose fibers with REFIBRA™ technology [2] and ROICA™ EF recycled stretch fiber [3].

“The SAISEI collection is the result of a meaningful collaboration between Kaihara Denim, Lenzing, and ROICA™ by Asahi Kasei. Since its launch, the collection has received positive reactions, with people impressed by its softness, stretch, and aesthetics. By combining Lenzing’s resource-efficient fiber technology [2], ROICA™’s EF recycled stretch fiber [3], and our Japanese denim craftsmanship, we have created a collection that reflects both tradition and progress. Together, we are shaping the future of denim in a more circular, responsible direction [1],” said Hirofumi Inagaki, Executive Officer, General Manager of the Sales Department at Kaihara Denim.

Advance Denim x ROICA™ by Asahi Kasei x Lenzing: sustainable stretch solutions

The evolving market trends have welcomed the LoopTy collection, a collaboration among Advance Denim, ROICA™ by Asahi Kasei and Lenzing. This collection combines the resource-efficient and biodegradable TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers [4] [5] with degradable ROICA™ V550, the world’s first Cradle to Cradle-Certified™ stretch fiber [6], creating a comfortable material with exceptional yield for a wide range of stretch applications.

“Advance Denim’s partnership with Lenzing, exemplified by the LoopTy collection, demonstrates that sustainability and style are not mutually exclusive. We are meeting the growing demand for responsible denim with innovative materials and a modern aesthetic that appeals to a broad demographic,” said Amy Wang, General Manager of Advanced Denim.

“Our partnership with Lenzing and Advance Denim on the LoopTy collection has been incredibly fruitful. It has allowed us to move beyond simply offering sustainable materials and embrace a true lifestyle concept. The positive market feedback we have received confirms that the degradable aspect of LoopTy, combined with Lenzing’s TENCEL™, is resonating with brands and consumers who are seeking both style and environmental responsibility [1],” said Hiroaki Shinohe, Chief Marketing Officer of ROICA™ Europe at ROICA™ by Asahi Kasei.

Kingpins Amsterdam provided a valuable forum for the denim community to exchange insights and enjoy the latest innovations. Lenzing’s continued presence at Kingpins underscores its commitment to driving sustainable practices and fostering innovation in the textile industry by engaging in meaningful collaborations with its valued brand and mill partners.

“What we’ve demonstrated at Kingpins Amsterdam goes beyond product innovation,” concluded Tuncay. “It’s about creating an ecosystem where fiber producers, mills, and brands can collaborate to co-create innovative solutions that drive the industry forward [1] while delivering products that excite and inspire consumers.”

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[1] To foster a sustainable global textile and nonwovens industry, Lenzing follows three strategic principles within the context of its “Naturally Positive” sustainability strategy, which focuses on greening the value chain, advancing the circular economy, and collaborating for systemic change with key industry stakeholders, such as Textile Exchange, Cascale, Canopy, Together for Sustainability, Renewable Carbon Initiative, and UN Global Compact.

[2] LENZING™ ECOVERO™ fibers produced with REFIBRA™ technology use cotton textile waste as a raw material, in addition to wood. The fibers contain a minimum of 20% recycled material, which is sourced from pre- and post-consumer waste. These cotton scraps could have otherwise entered landfills or been incinerated. LENZING™ ECOVERO™ fibers produced with REFIBRA™ technology also meet the Recycled Claim Standard [Certified by Control Union Shanghai (CU1260548)].

[3] https://www.asahi-kasei.co.jp/fibers/en/roica/specialities/pdf/roica_ef.pdf

[4] TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers are made with at least 50% less carbon emissions and water consumption compared to generic lyocell and modal. Results based on LCA standards (ISO 14040/44) and available via the Higg Materials Sustainability Index (MSI) v3.10 (April 2025) by Cascale (formerly Sustainable Apparel Coalition).

[5] LENZING™ Lyocell standard fibers are certified by TÜV AUSTRIA as biodegradable in soil, freshwater and marine environments, and compostable under home and industrial conditions. Please find out more at https://www.tencel.com/claims

[6] https://www.asahi-kasei.co.jp/fibers/en/roica/specialities/pdf/roica_v550.pdf