Lenzing fibers are used primarily for clothing, home textiles, and hygiene products. Biological degradability is inherent to Lenzing fibers.1 This feature closes the cycle, with nature returning to nature. Lenzing fibers combine the biological properties of natural fibers with the processing advantages of mechanically produced fibers.
Lenzing lyocell fibers
The Lenzing Group is a leading global producer of lyocell fibers. The origin of all Lenzing fibers is cellulose, a component of the renewable natural raw material wood. Fiber production itself is particularly environmentally compatible thanks to closed loop recycling. More than 99 percent of the solvent used is recovered and recycled, making the Lenzing Group’s lyocell fibers the fibers of the future. This closed loop production process was recognized by the European Union with its “European Award for the Environment”. Products made of Lenzing lyocell fibers are more absorbent than cotton, softer than silk, and cooler than linen. They are deployed in a wide range of applications that include sportswear, home textiles, and mattresses as well as hygiene articles such as wet wipes and baby wipes. Lenzing lyocell fibers are marketed primarily under the TENCEL™ and VEOCEL™ brands.
Lenzing modal fibers
Since 1965, the Lenzing Group at its headquarters in Lenzing has been producing modal fibers from beech wood sourced from Austria and surrounding countries. Since 2023, Lenzing has been able to offer its Chinese customers locally produced modal fibers for the first time following the successful modernization of its plant in Nanjing. Low fiber rigidity and the cross-section of modal fibers make this product a natural softening agent. The softer the fiber, the finer the resultant textiles. Lenzing modal fibers can be blended with all types of fibers and processed using conventional machinery. Advantages such as mercerizability and uncomplicated processing make modal fibers an all-round genius among cellulosic fibers. These fibers are marketed primarily under the TENCEL™ brand.
Lenzing viscose fibers
Lenzing has been producing classic viscose fiber for more than 80 years. Lenzing Group viscose fibers are made from the renewable raw material wood. They absorb moisture well and are pleasant to wear. Lenzing viscose fibers are premium products on the global market, and are used in clothing and hygiene articles. Lenzing viscose is a preferred fiber brand for fashion clothing fabrics. In the hygiene sector, where purity and absorbency are ascribed top priority, they are utilized in products such as wipes, tampons and wound dressings.
Innovations and new products
Lenzing sets standards in the area of regenerated cellulosic fibers with its quality and innovative capabilities, and is advancing new developments in this area worldwide (read more about the sustainable innovations of the Lenzing Group in the non-financial statement of the Annual and Sustainability Report of the Lenzing Group).
LENZING™ ECOVERO™ fibers with REFIBRA™ technology
Thanks to the successful development and scaling of production, LENZING™ ECOVERO™ fibers with REFIBRA™ technology are now available to customers worldwide. In addition to the environmentally responsible benefits of the LENZING™ ECOVERO™ brand, the new viscose fibers with REFIBRA™ technology contain up to 20 percent post-consumer textile waste, which is obtained from cellulose-rich materials or polyester-cotton blends. The waste is collected and sorted in collaboration with key sector leaders and innovation pioneers in the post-consumer recycling area.
New resource-efficient dyeing approach for TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers
The Lenzing Group, a leading global producer of wood-based specialty fibers, has introduced a new approach that harnesses yarn pretreatment and a knitting technique to achieve an aesthetic that resembles the washed-out look of conventional dyeing processes in ready-to-wear and knitwear. To counteract the environmental pollution caused by dyeing and finishing in the textile industry, this new approach exhibits a significantly lower environmental impact, and is ideal for pre-treated fabrics and yarns made from TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers. It also complements the wet processing and production facilities of fabric mills and thereby offers further advantages to our partners along the value chain.
New industry-wide innovation that reduces discoloration of cellulose-based garments during thermoplastic molding processes
Lenzing introduced a new processing solution that reduces the yellowing of garments and fabrics made from wood-based cellulosic fibers during high-temperature manufacturing processes. This new solution will initially be introduced for underwear and subsequently also for outerwear and ready-to-wear goods, making Lenzing the first company in the sector to tackle this technical challenge during the molding process. Lenzing is already examining further potential applications, such as welded seams on garments and seamless manufacturing, where hot melt tapes and bonding machines are replacing traditional sewing methods.
Hydrophobic cellulosic fibers for sustainable nonwovens
Thanks to their innovative ability to pass liquids over their surface, hydrophobic lyocell fibers (LENZING™ Lyocell Dry) offer completely new product solutions for hygiene products that could previously only be achieved by using synthetic fibers. The new Lenzing fiber is not classified as “plastic” under the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive and offers a very soft and environmentally responsible cellulose-based alternative for brands and manufacturers looking to develop plastic-free feminine and personal care products.
Sustainable protection of glaciers
An innovative and sustainable solution to protect snow and ice is now possible with the help of nonwovens made from LENZING™ brand fibers. The nonwovens used were previously made from petroleum-based fibers. The problem here is that microplastics remain after the summer and then flow downstream into valleys where they can enter the food chain via small organisms and animals. The solution is nonwovens made from LENZING™ cellulosic fibers. The covering of a small area with the new material made of LENZING™ fibers was tested for the first time during a field test on the Stubai Glacier. The result was convincing: four meters of ice were saved from melting. This success has led the project to now be expanded. Field trials on all Austrian glaciers used for tourism started as early as 2023. The sustainable concept should continue even after the nonwovens have been used: the geotextiles could be recycled after use and ultimately utilized to produce yarn for textile products.
1 LENZING™ fibers certified by TÜV as biodegradable (soil, freshwater & marine) and compostable (household & industrial) include the following products: LENZING™ Viscose Standard Textiles/Nonwovens, LENZING™ Lyocell Standard Textiles/Nonwovens, LENZING™ Modal Standard Textiles, LENZING™ Lyocell Filament, LENZING™ Lyocell Dry and LENZING™ Web Technology. Exceptions to the certification exist in relation to the fibers LENZING™ Lyocell Filament and LENZING™ Lyocell Dry, for which the necessary tests to confirm biodegradability in the marine environment have not yet been conducted or completed.