NILIT’s SENSIL ByNature and Asahi Kasei’s ROICA have joined forces to introduce a new bio-based fabric concept for high-performance apparel. The partnership integrates Biomass Balanced (BMB) Nylon 6.6 yarn with BMB ROICA premium stretch fiber, giving apparel manufacturers a renewable, drop-in alternative to traditional synthetics—without sacrificing functionality, durability, or aesthetics.
Both materials use the Biomass Balance approach, replacing a portion of fossil feedstocks with renewable raw materials derived from reclaimed biogenic waste. These inputs do not compete with food production or agricultural land.
Key attributes:
• SENSIL ByNature: the first Nylon 6.6 yarn for apparel produced with BMB feedstock; reduces GHG emissions by ~1.8 kg CO₂e per ton compared to conventional nylon.
• Biomass Balanced ROICA: a stretch fiber produced at Asahi Kasei’s Taiwan plant using renewable feedstocks; exact carbon-reduction figures forthcoming but expected to be significant.
• Identical performance to fossil-based materials, enabling effortless adoption by brands.
• ISCC+ certification ensures third-party-verified accounting of renewable content and full supply-chain transparency.
Because BMB fibers behave exactly like standard nylons, brands do not need to retool product development or adjust pattern engineering—making sustainability gains achievable without technical trade-offs.
The apparel industry has struggled to decouple performance textiles from fossil feedstocks, especially in categories requiring strength, stretch, and durability. This partnership offers a pragmatic pathway: bio-based materials that integrate seamlessly into existing supply chains while lowering carbon intensity and supporting circularity goals.
It also demonstrates growing momentum behind BMB solutions—aligned with EU Green Deal expectations, Scope 3 reduction targets, and brand roadmaps for low-impact synthetics.
NILIT and Asahi Kasei expect the new concept to accelerate the adoption of renewable-based performance fabrics, especially across sportswear, lingerie, swimwear, and athleisure. As brands scale their climate commitments and digital product passport requirements sharpen material disclosure, drop-in BMB fibers may become a preferred transition technology.
The collaboration ultimately signals a broader industry shift: sustainability enhancements increasingly require no compromise on quality or style and can be achieved through collaborative innovation across the synthetic fiber value chain.
