Asahi Kasei and Nilit have collaborated to introduce a new low-impact fabric for high-performance apparel based on Sensil ByNature, nylon 6.6 yarn and Biomass Balanced Roica premium stretch fibre.

Both raw materials are created through the biomass balance (BMB) approach based on renewable feedstocks made from reclaimed and recycled organic waste that do not compete with food sources or require land for production.

Sensil ByNature is the first textile nylon 6.6 yarn for apparel made using a biomass balanced renewable feedstock sourced from biogenic waste, while Biomass Balanced Roica incorporates renewable raw materials in place of traditional fossil hydrocarbons and is produced at the company’s plant in Taiwan, its key reference hub for BMB production.

Because BMB products are identical to traditional products, the resulting fabrics retain the comparable comfort, aesthetics and performance as their conventional counterparts, enabling apparel brands to integrate them without redesigning collections.

The companies use biomass balance accounting and third-party certification to appropriately allocate the percentage of renewable feedstocks to their products so that brands and consumers can rely on the sustainability claims. In addition, the companies are certified under the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification Plus (ISCC+) system, ensuring rigorous control and transparency in renewable feedstock use across the supply chain.

Nilit’s Sensil ByNature lowers greenhouse gas emissions by about 1.8 kg CO2 eq per ton of yarn compared to traditional nylon, while Asahi Kasei projects that Roica Biomass Balanced, combined with manufacturing optimisations, will also reduce CO2 emissions compared to existing products. Since production decisions have only just been made, however, exact numbers are not yet available.

When blended, Sensil ByNature and Biomass Balanced Roica help designers create outstanding stretch fabrics that substantially reduce a garment’s environmental footprint, supporting circularity initiatives and improving life cycle assessments.

 www.nilit.com

www.asahi-kasei.co.jp