Roica by Asahi Kasei is returning to ISPO Munich this year (Nov. 30 - Dec. 2) with a sustainability-led booth, spotlighting degradable and recycled stretch solutions. The showcase features innovations from seven European partners – underscoring the alignment between performance textiles and circularity.
Roica is making a strong sustainability statement with a curated line-up of responsible stretch technologies, including degradable, recycled and mass-balance fibers. Its booth features collaborations with Brugnoli, Cifra, Iluna, Inplet Pletiva, Penn Solutions, Sitip and Tessitura Colombo Antonio – each demonstrating how performance stretch textiles can achieve sustainability without compromising technical quality.
Sustainability in action
Roica V550, a core degradable fiber, will be demonstrated in fabrics engineered for next-generation sportswear, including pieces made for EXPO 2025 Osaka in Japan. A partnership between Roica and NILIT combines mass-balance Roica with bio-based nylon, reducing environmental impact while maintaining stretch and comfort.
Partner innovations include: Brugnoli’s YogaTime (Tencel Modal + V550), Cifra’s seamless garments (Econyl with Roica), Iluna’s GRS-certified recycled Roica EF, Inplet Pletiva’s breathable multi-stretch, Penn’s technical cycling bib straps, Sitip’s thermal comfort stretch used by Scott Racing and Colombo Antonio’s jacquards with nature-inspired motifs.
Roica’s circular vision takes center stage
Roica’s return to ISPO Munich marks a step towards circularity in performance textiles. By showcasing degradable and recycled stretch fibers – developed with seven European mills – the brand addresses one of the industry’s most pressing sustainability challenges: how to deliver stretch and durability without compromising end-of-life responsibility.
This aligns with ISPO’s evolving focus on responsible materials and signals that sustainability is no longer a fringe concern but a pillar of innovation. Through partnerships from Italy to Slovenia, Roica is scaling eco-innovation all along the value chain – not just in raw fibers but in finished sportswear that athletes and consumers can actually wear. It’s a move that positions stretch technology not as a barrier to sustainability but as part of the solution.
At ISPO, Roica will also present its EXPO 2025 uniform project, during a speaking session on opening day in the ISPO Brandnew area. A video by V&A Japan will explain the circular approach behind the initiative.
About Roica
Roica is a premium stretch-fiber brand developed by Asahi Kasei, a Japanese chemical and materials company. Known for its superior elasticity, durability and comfort, Roica is widely used in sportswear, activewear and fashion textiles. The brand has increasingly focused on sustainability, developing such innovative solutions as Roica V550 (a degradable stretch fiber), Roica EF (made from recycled materials) and mass-balance options that reduce environmental impact while maintaining the technical performance demanded by athletes and consumers. Roica partners with mills and brands globally to advance circularity in the textile industry.
About V&A Japan
V&A Japan is a creative agency specializing in visual storytelling and branding for sustainability-focused initiatives. The agency has collaborated with Roica on communicating the circular design philosophy behind projects such as the EXPO 2025 Osaka uniform initiative, translating complex environmental concepts into engaging visual narratives that resonate with both industry stakeholders and consumers.
