Some things only become possible if you completely rethink them. This belief underlies the culture of innovation that we embrace and encourage at Lenzing.
We conduct research with passion to make the industries in which we operate even more sustainable and to drive the transformation of the textile business model from linearity to circularity. To accomplish this, we seek, promote and strengthen collaboration with partners along the entire value chain.
In line with its “Naturally Positive” sustainability strategy, the Lenzing Group has set ambitious targets for itself in each of its strategic core areas. Improving things every day gives us plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the future: Let’s shape this transformation together!
Rethink
Projects at a glance
Interview with Gert Kroner, Global R&D
“Nature has extremely elegant processes”
He also prefers to work with wood in his free time and is driving change at Lenzing and in the entire industry: a conversation with Gert Kroner, VP Global Research & Development, about innovation as hard work, the biggest challenges of the future and what we can learn from nature.
Interview: Dominic Köfner
VP Global Corporate Communications
„In principle, innovation is all of us. That's what really characterises Lenzing, that innovation takes place across the entire company and is driven forward by so many people.”
Black viscose: a prime textiles innovation
Black that comes from the deep
LENZING™ ECOVERO™ black viscose is a prime example of the positive impact of exceptional technological innovations.
This black stays black for longer: We have succeeded in producing the LENZING™ ECOVERO™ fiber in black. Black color pigments are incorporated directly into the fiber in a special weaving process that eliminates the need for additional dyeing and makes the fiber even more versatile for product innovations.
At least
%
lower carbon emissions and water consumption*
*Compared to generic (unbranded) viscose based on LCA standards (ISO 14040/44) and available via Higg MSI (version 3.7)
Other benefits: The black color is more intense and requires less energy and water thanks to the spin-dyeing process. The products thus have a smaller lifetime carbon footprint in the textile chain.
Up to
%
lower global warming potential*
*Compared to generic (unbranded) viscose based on LCA standards (ISO 14040/44) and available via Higg MSI (version 3.7)
LENZING™ ECOVERO™ black viscose – an outstanding, innovative technological solution and a prime example of how fresh thinking can make new things happen.
Biodegradability reaffirmed
“A truly sustainable alternative to petroleum-based fibers”
The internationally renowned Scripps Institution of Oceanography reaffirms the biodegradability* of Lenzing cellulose-based fibers.
The Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego, California has conducted a series of experiments, and the findings are clear: While the wood-based cellulosic fibers fully biodegraded within 30 days, both in sea-surface and sea-floor conditions, the tested petroleum-based fibers were practically unchanged after more than 200 days. This is the second study conducted after 2021 in which the institute provides scientific proof that cellulose-based fibers such as LENZING™ Lyocell fibers, LENZING™ Viscose fibers and LENZING™ Modal fibers are biodegradable.
Awareness of the major challenges
Plastic pollution is a major environmental problem of our time and may continue to impact many generations to come. The environmental damage caused by the fashion industry as a result of fast fashion business models is particularly extreme. The use of petroleum-based synthetic fibers in textiles has approximately doubled in the last 20 years. This trend is likely to continue. Today, the proportion of textiles that contain polyester is more than 50% and rising.
“The Lenzing Group makes highly efficient use of all raw materials to produce fibers that return to the ecosystem at the end of their life cycle. Our goal is to raise widespread awareness of major challenges such as plastic pollution and, above all, offer a truly sustainable alternative to petroleum-based fibers.”
* LENZING™ fibers which are TÜV-certified as biodegradable (soil, freshwater and marine water) and compostable (household and industrial) include the following products: LENZING™ Viscose Standard textile/nonwovens, LENZING™ Lyocell Standard textile/nonwovens, LENZING™ Modal Standard, LENZING™ Web Technology. One small exception: the TÜV-certified biodegradable and compostable fibers LENZING™ Lyocell Filament and LENZING™ Lyocell Dry, which meet all the above conditions except for biodegradability in marine water.
Joining forces for circularity
Global first for circularity
Lenzing has taken another major step towards achieving a circular future together with the Swedish pulp producer Södra: The LIFE TREATS project is receiving EUR 10 million in EU funding to develop an industrial-scale system for textile waste recycling.
“This project is a fantastic example of how we can join forces to connect companies along the textile recycling value chain.”
Ready to join?
Are you curious about Lenzing’s innovative fibers or do you have an idea for a collaboration with us? We want to hear from you!
Chlorine-free lyocell
Oxygen instead of chlorine
Top product innovations in nonwovens in 2023: Lenzing is pleased to introduce the first completely chlorine-free lyocell fibers, optimizing its portfolio with new cut lengths and fiber thicknesses to meet customer and market needs.
Lenzing launched the first totally chlorine-free (TCF) lyocell fibers for nonwoven applications in 2023. This fiber was developed by combining chlorine-free pulp with downstream fiber production that avoided the use of chlorinated substances. Lenzing produces wood pulp in its three pulp plants using a bleaching process with oxygen-based substances and without the use of any chlorine-containing chemicals. The elimination of chlorine makes the Lenzing Group’s wood-derived pulp particularly safe for the environment and human health. This process also ensures the high quality required for fiber production. The technology in all three pulp plants complies with the EU’s BAT standards. TCF lyocell was specifically developed for use in absorbent hygiene products that come into contact with skin since quality, sustainability and skin-friendliness are key factors in the choice of material.
The Lyocell Coarse fiber, which features a particularly coarse fiber cross-section, was introduced in 2023. The fiber’s larger diameter makes it possible to develop more voluminous nonwovens and thus help optimize fluid management in wet wipes and absorbent hygiene products.
Eco-friendly viscose
Environmentally responsible viscose for the entire world
Further successful steps to reduce carbon emissions
We want to do more than reduce our own carbon emissions, we also want to empower our partners to reduce their carbon footprint. The launch of carbon-neutral* VEOCEL™ branded viscose fibers and the ecological conversion of our production plant in Indonesia highlights our commitment to ongoing innovation and driving positive environmental impact.
* Carbon neutrality is achieved by balancing remaining GHG emissions through verified compensation measures (e.g., reforestation) and by retiring carbon credits so that the impact of global warming from human-related industrial and agricultural activities is calculated to zero.
“We hope that by taking responsibility to effect real change within the industry, we can build a better tomorrow for future generations.”
Sustainable glacier protection
Glacier protection rethought
Lenzing offers a compelling sustainable solution
Geotextiles are already widely used to protect snow and ice on glaciers from melting. In field trials on Austrian glaciers, nonwovens made of cellulosic LENZING™ fibers are being used to cover the ice. They are showing promising results and offer a sustainable solution for glacier protection.
Ratings and Benchmarks
Top ratings from EcoVadis, MSCI, CDP and Cascale Higg FEM
The Lenzing Group was once again awarded platinum status by EcoVadis, a leading international provider of CSR ratings. We also earned top ratings from CDP, MSCI and Cascale Higg FEM.
The certification covers the four most important practices in corporate social responsibility: environment, labor & human rights as well as ethics and sustainable procurement.
We landed among the leaders in the CDP and MSCI ratings, too. Lenzing is one of only 10 companies worldwide with a CDP triple “A” score. Rating agency MSCI awarded Lenzing an “AA” rating for the third time in a row, which puts Lenzing among the top eight percent of rated companies in its peer group. Lenzing also participated for the first time in the Cascale Higg FEM verification program to assess the environmental impact of product manufacturing at its sites. The results were excellent.