Asahi Kasei’s premium stretch fibre brand Roica is returning to ISPO Munich 2025 with a strong focus on responsible innovation, advanced performance, and collaboration across the European textile industry. From 30 November to 2 December, the brand will present a curated selection of developments at the Asahi Kasei booth, highlighting new applications for its degradable, recycled, and mass-balance stretch solutions.

Roica’s 2025 showcase features materials from seven European partners - Brugnoli, Cifra, Iluna Group, Inplet Pletiva, Penn Solutions, Sitip, and Tessitura Colombo Antonio. Together, they demonstrate how responsibly engineered stretch can enhance sports and activewear without compromising comfort, aesthetics, or technical performance.

The brand also spotlights two major initiatives. The first is the adoption of Roica V550 in the official uniforms for EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai, produced by Craftevo-V&A Japan, offering a circular, compostable approach to large-scale event apparel. The second is a collaborative concept between NILIT and Roica that blends Sensil By-Nature Nylon 6.6 with mass-balance Roica using renewable feedstock, aiming to reduce environmental impact while maintaining durability and comfort.

Partner companies bring a varied range of innovations. Brugnoli presents YogaTime fabrics that combine TENCEL Modal with Roica V550 for soft, breathable performance. Cifra introduces WKS warp-knit seamless athleisure garments developed with Wolford, using ECONYL and Roica V550 to reduce waste and improve efficiency. Iluna Group expands its sustainable lace offer with Roica EF recycled stretch fibre and GRS-certified components. Inplet Pletiva highlights breathable, multi-stretch fabrics incorporating Roica V550, while Penn Solutions showcases custom technical designs including aerated structures and next-generation cycling bib straps.

Sitip presents high-performance materials such as Blizzard Thermal Comfort and Native-Blizzard K2, which are already used by the Scott Racing Team, recently victorious at La Prevostura MTB in Italy. Tessitura Colombo Antonio demonstrates stretch jacquards featuring geometric and nature-inspired motifs made with Roica fibres, combining heritage craftsmanship with modern sustainability.

Special projects include the EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai uniform initiative, where Roica V550 supports responsible end-of-life processing through compostability. Meanwhile, the NILIT × Roica collaboration blends renewable feedstock and certified processes to create a stretch fabric concept with reduced environmental impact.

Roica will also present its EXPO 2025 uniform project during a speaking session on the opening day at the ISPO Brandnew area, where a video by V&A Japan will explain the circular approach behind the initiative.

The brand continues its commitment to fostering more responsible pathways for sportswear materials. Through long-standing European partnerships and new global collaborations, Roica demonstrates how fibre innovation can contribute to a more sustainable future for performance textiles.

www.asahi-kasei.co.jp/fibers/en/roica