The Japanese stretch fiber specialist is using Munich’s materials fair to showcase a cross-regional partner network – with two Japan-based mills appearing at a European industry event for the first time.
Asahi Kasei’s stretch-fibre brand ROICA is exhibiting at Performance Days in Munich this week (March 18–19), presenting a cross-regional network of European and Japanese textile manufacturers. The most distinctive element of this year’s booth, in Hall C2 (booth R19), is the inclusion of two Japan-based mills, appearing at a European trade show for the first time.
Imai Kigyojo, a warp-knitting specialist with more than 70 years of experience based in Nanto City, Japan, and Kawada Knitting Group, a tricot producer from the same city with over a century of manufacturing heritage, are both presenting fabric developments exclusively at the ROICA booth. Imai’s range centres on lightweight open constructions and bonded structures engineered for breathability and moisture control. Kawada is showing tricot materials developed for quick-dry performance and UV protection, including fabrics used in the Kaiho Suit, a concept designed to deliver sportswear-level mobility within a tailored silhouette.
European partners and material focus
Among the European exhibitors, Cifra, a warp-knit specialist based in Italy, is showing athleisure pieces developed in collaboration with Wolford, incorporating ECONYL regenerated nylon and ROICA V550. V550 is Asahi Kasei’s Cradle to Cradle-certified elastane variant, described by the company as the world’s first degradable stretch yarn. Brugnoli (Hall C1, booth D07) presents cotton and Micromodal constructions using the same fibre. Sitip (Hall C1, booth E14-15) features lightweight warp knits and brushed thermal fabrics incorporating both ROICA V550 and ROICA EF, a recycled elastane made from pre-consumer materials. Inter Jersey Milano (Hall C1, booth J04) is showing its Active collection, built around ROICA SP, a chlorine-resistant variant engineered for intensive training and swimming applications.
Penn Solutions (Hall C1, booth C06) presents tricot and lace structures for sportswear and cycling applications, while Tiba Tricot (Hall C1, booth G20), a Castellanza-based manufacturer with more than 60 years of experience, showcases circular and 3D warp-knit constructions. Two additional ROICA partners, Inplet Pletiva (Slovenia) and Lauma (Latvia), are featured in booth materials but are not exhibiting at this edition.
About Asahi Kasei / ROICA
Asahi Kasei is a Japanese materials and chemicals company. ROICA is its premium stretch-fibre brand, sold across sportswear, activewear, underwear, and lifestyle applications. The brand’s fibre range includes ROICA V550, a Cradle to Cradle-certified degradable elastane; ROICA EF, produced from pre-consumer recycled materials; and ROICA SP, a chlorine-resistant stretch yarn for swimwear and active use.
