As the global fashion industry accelerates its transformation, denim – a timeless staple - is reaching a critical junction in its journey towards sustainability. On May 22 and 23, the prestigious Kingpins Show landed in Hangzhou, infusing the city with a fresh wave of denim innovation. Kingpins Show, renowned as a leading event in the global denim industry, brought together cutting-edge design, advanced technology, and new business opportunities, offering a comprehensive glimpse into the evolving denim ecosystem.
Lenzing Group, with its "Application Innovation Collection 25" and "Fancy Denim Collection", made a standout appearance, presenting a visual feast that seamlessly blended sustainable concepts with fashion aesthetics. These innovative denim solutions attracted global supply chain enterprises, fabric manufacturers, and brand representatives, who gathered to exchange ideas, envision the future of denim design, and witness the remarkable evolution of traditional denim.
Double the Collection Innovation to Unleash the Infinite Possibilities of Fibers
The most eye-catching highlight of Lenzing’s booth was the newly launched "Application Innovation Collection 25", which elevated the innovative application of TENCEL™ and LENZING™ ECOVERO™ fibers to new heights. In collaboration with 11 fabric manufacturers from key production regions including China, Pakistan, Vietnam, and Hong Kong, Lenzing unveiled 22 meticulously designed denim items. Each item demonstrated unique wash-down effects, illustrating the versatility of TENCEL™ fibers from classic indigo to avant-garde styles.
In addition, Lenzing Group also unveiled its "Fancy Denim Collection" which was developed in partnership with seven global fabric manufacturers. This collection goes beyond the traditional denim fabric structure and innovates through different structures and applications. Among the 20 featured pieces were designs incorporating creative elements like metallic threads, alongside specialized processes such as jacquard weaving, multi-arm weaving, and knit-like structures. A particularly groundbreaking addition was the introduction of piece-dyed indigo knitted items, which extended denim's iconic aesthetic into a new textile category – knitwear, inspiring fresh possibilities for the industry.
During the event, Lenzing also showcased a variety of fiber applications, such as the standard TENCEL™ Lyocell, TENCEL™ Lyocell - Matte, TENCEL™ Modal Indigo, as well as LENZING™ ECOVERO™ and LENZING™ ECOVERO™ black fibers. LENZING™ ECOVERO™ fibers have gained significant traction among brands and customers for its ability to combine environmental responsibility with fashion appeal. Derived from certified or controlled wood sources[1], these fibers are made with 50% less carbon emission and water consumption[2], and are certified with the EU Ecolabel for environmental excellence[3]. LENZING™ ECOVERO™ black fiber utilizes a spin-dyeing process in which pigments are directly incorporated in the fibers. This can eliminate the need for additional downstream dyeing processes, reducing costs while ensuring exceptional color intensity and resistance to fading.
The Pain Points of the Denim Circular Economy
A key moment of the exhibition was the roundtable forum, where Vincent Hu, Senior Commercial Director, Textiles China, Lenzing, conducted an in-depth analysis of the pain points facing the circular economy in the denim industry. Drawing on both industry insights and corporate practices, Vincent provided deep analysis of the barriers to achieving true circularity.
Vincent pointed out that customers have a great demand for recycled products, but two critical conditions need to be addressed in order to meet the needs of customers: First, circular materials must be compatible with existing factory infrastructure to avoid costly production line modifications. Second, the price of the final product must remain affordable.
Under its circular economy model, Lenzing Group utilizes 100% renewable raw materials and has pioneered REFIBRA™ technology, which transforms used cotton textiles (including denim) into recycled cellulose fibers, achieving a "clothing to clothing" cycle. LENZING™ ECOVERO™ fibers made with REFIBRA™ technology is an environmentally responsible innovative product that not only maintains the quality of the original product but also reduces the environmental burden of global textile waste, offering a scalable solution for textile recycling.
At this year’s Kingpins show, Lenzing Group's leadership in fiber innovation and circular design resonated throughout the event. Looking ahead, Lenzing Group will continue collaborating with upstream and downstream partners in the industry chain to make circular economy products and concepts more accessible to consumers. Together, Lenzing and its partners aim to drive the denim industry toward a more sustainable future.
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[1] FSC® (FSC-C041246) or PEFC (PEFC/06-33-92) certification
[2] Compared to generic (unbranded) viscose. Results based on LCA standards (ISO 14040/44) and available via Higg MSI Version 3.10 (April 2025)
[3] EU Ecolabel for textile products (license no. AT/016/001)
