Kaihara and Lenzing Celebrate Three-Decade Partnership with Denim Innovation

Kaihara and Lenzing Celebrate Three-Decade Partnership with Denim Innovation

(IN BRIEF) Lenzing Group, a global producer of wood-based specialty fibers, and Kaihara, a Japanese denim manufacturer, have formed a groundbreaking partnership to redefine denim fashion on a global scale. Leveraging TENCEL™ branded fibers, their collaboration aims to cater to the diverse demands of consumers and brand partners worldwide. TENCEL™ fibers offer versatility in design, comfort, and sustainability, making them ideal for denim fabrics. The partnership will introduce a curated collection of seven innovative denim fabrics, highlighting the possibilities of TENCEL™ fibers. This collection will be showcased during the “Kaihara x TENCEL™ Denim Week” in Tokyo and at Kingpins Hong Kong.

(PRESS RELEASE) LENZING, 16-Oct-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — The Lenzing Group (VIE: LNZ), an Austria-based world’s leading supplier of specialty fibers, and Kaihara, the world-renowned Japanese denim manufacturer, are celebrating over three decades of collaboration by unveiling a groundbreaking partnership that will redefine denim fashion on the international stage. Leveraging the versatile properties of TENCEL™ branded fibers, this collaboration represents a significant stride in Kaihara’s overseas expansion strategy. The fruits of their joint innovation will be unveiled during the “Kaihara x TENCEL™ Denim Week” in Tokyo, Japan, from October 16 to 21, 2023.

Celebrating Craftsmanship through Fiber and Fabric Innovation

Since the introduction of TENCEL™ fibers to the Japanese market in 1994, Kaihara has expertly woven these fibers into their commercial collections, showcasing the excellence of TENCEL™ fibers in performance and responsible fiber production¹. By seamlessly integrating these fibers, Kaihara has transcended conventional denim fabric manufacturing boundaries, introducing innovative designs, authentic aesthetics, and diverse functionality. As the premium denim fashion landscape continues to evolve, Lenzing and Kaihara are embarking on a new chapter in their progressive partnership – jointly developing novel fabrics featuring TENCEL™ fibers that cater to the demands of brand partners and consumers worldwide, embracing new frontiers of shared success.

“Kaihara is a well-respected and long-standing mill partner along our journey of denim fabric innovation,” said Dennis Hui, Global Business Development Manager, Denim at Lenzing. “The adoption of botanic and biodegradable materials like TENCEL™ fibers² in denim fabrics allows innovative creators like Kaihara to expand into new application categories traditionally dominated by synthetics while enabling their brand customers to achieve their sustainability goals. We share a commitment to excellence and a vision for creativity, offering brands and consumers worldwide limitless design possibilities through the versatile applications of TENCEL™ fibers. We are excited to continue our close partnership towards the future of global denim fashion.”

HIROFUMI Inagaki, Executive Officer, General Manager of Sales Department at Kaihara, said, “Consumer demand for premium, sustainable fashion is stronger than ever globally. As we broaden our international reach, our long-standing partnership with Lenzing will prove pivotal to advancing our commitment to responsible practices, such as incorporating water-saving TENCEL™ Modal fiber with Indigo Color technology³. To tailor specifically for luxury and high-end segments seeking superior quality and kindness to the planet, we have also been crafting denim fabrics with zero or reduced cotton leveraging TENCEL™ fibers for their sustainability, softness and performance benefits. We are confident that our strengthened, multidisciplinary collaboration with Lenzing will distinctively position Kaihara as a world-leading company in developing boundary-pushing innovations addressing diverse tastes and needs while preserving denim as a time-tested trend, whether in our Japanese home market or abroad.”

Denim fabrics crafted with TENCEL™ branded fibers offer versatility in design with an authentic look and feel, resulting in soft and comfortable textures for the finished product. These fabrics also provide inherent advantages, including enhanced breathability and color retention. Such versatility caters to the varied needs of global brands and consumers seeking diversity in aesthetics, performance, and functionality. The inclusion of TENCEL™ branded fibers further aids mills and brands in their pursuit of incorporating more sustainable wood-based materials to meet their environmental objectives.

Envisioning the Future of Premium Denim Fashion

Lenzing and Kaihara are set to unveil a specially curated capsule collection featuring seven new denim fabrics, all enhanced using Jeanologia’s cutting-edge finishing technology. These fabrics embody the myriad possibilities brought to life by TENCEL™ Lyocell and Modal fibers in high-end, high-quality denim applications. Following the Tokyo showcase, this exclusive collection will take center stage at the Lenzing booth during Kingpins Hong Kong on November 6-7, 2023.

This innovative collaboration between Lenzing and Kaihara reinforces their shared commitment to pushing the boundaries of denim fashion, sustainability, and quality, shaping the future of premium denim fashion for consumers worldwide.

¹Compared to generic (unbranded) lyocell and modal. The results were calculated according to LCA standards (ISO 14040/44) and are made available via the Higg Materials Sustainability Index (MSI) by the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (Version 3.6)

²A range of TENCEL™ fibers are certified by TÜV Austria as biodegradable in soil, freshwater and marine environments, and compostable under home and industrial conditions.

³Compared to three conventional denim dyeing methods

Media contact:

Rita Ng
Head of Global Marketing Services

+852 3718 5675
r.ng@lenzing.com

SOURCE: LENZING AG