Metrics and targets

[ESRS E2-3; GRI 3-3e]

See “targets” in the management approach at the beginning of this chapter. All of Lenzing’s sustainability targets can be found in the “General information” chapter.

Sustainable pulp and fiber production comes with strict criteria (such as emissions thresholds) not only for air emissions but also for water effluents and wastewater treatment. National or regional legislation as well as several industry standards and certification schemes – such as EU BAT, EU Ecolabel, and ZDHC – identify priority substances of concern and give guidance for reducing emissions, therefore avoiding harmful impacts on water bodies. Lenzing has decades of experience in the safe handling and treatment of process chemicals used during manufacturing, including water-related issues. Lenzing has been leveraging this extensive knowledge to develop and shape today’s industry standards through multi-stakeholder initiatives such as ZDHC. Discharge limits are included in the environmental permits issued for all sites by relevant authorities based on national legislation. Additional intragroup discharge limits that reflect best practices may apply under internal environment standards.

Pollution of air, water and soil

[ESRS E2-4; GRI 305-7]

Sulfate emissions mainly originate from the viscose process. COD emissions originate from pulp and all fiber production processes and their reduction is part of the Lenzing Group’s “Waste water” target. Total emissions of COD and sulfate have increased due to two additional production sites in Indianópolis (Brazil) and Prachinburi (Thailand) compared to last year. COD emissions without the two new production plants are still relevant for the “Waste water” target and hence additionally reported (see tables “Absolute emissions to water after wastewater treatment plant” and “Specific emissions to water after wastewater treatment plant”). The pulp facility in Paskov (Czech Republic) had significantly higher COD emissions in 2023. On the group-level, this resulted in specific COD emissions in the range of the baseline year. With the new scope including two new production facilities, specific emissions to water generally decreased compared to 2022. Lower production at the Grimsby (UK) site resulted in less total amine emissions to water compared to the previous year (tables “Absolute emissions to water after wastewater treatment plant” and “Specific emissions to water after wastewater treatment plant”). This site is expected to remain the main contributor of amine emissions in the Group until the new wastewater treatment plant is operational.

Reduction of sulfur emissions

Sulfur and sulfur compounds are indispensable for the standard viscose fiber manufacturing process. Lenzing has dramatically reduced sulfur emissions over the decades by increasing recycle and recovery systems. Although all of the Lenzing Group’s viscose fiber production sites (Lenzing, Austria; Nanjing, China and Purwakarta, Indonesia) are equipped with waste gas purification and recovery technologies, some carbon disulfide (CS₂), hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), and sulfur dioxide (SO₂) is emitted from the waste gas recovery systems and from on-site energy production. The finalization of the second CAP at the Purwakarta (Indonesia) site has advanced the further reduction of absolute and specific sulfur to air emissions. As the project was finished only during the reporting year, the impact of the additional recovery plant still needs to fully unfold in order to achieve 50 percent reduction (“Air emissions” target). Sulfur emissions without the two new production plants are still relevant for the target and hence additionally reported (see table “Specific emissions to air”).

On a group-wide level, including two new production facilities, absolute emissions of nitrogen oxides increased from additional operations in pulp production and energy generation, while specific emissions decreased significantly compared to 2022 (tables “Absolute emissions to air” and “Specific emissions to air”).

Lyocell fiber production generates only trace emissions as NMMO, an organic solvent, remains in the water/solvent cycle throughout the entire process and is recovered at a rate of more than 99.8 percent.

For more information about other waste streams besides waste water and air emissions, please see the “Resource use and circular economy” chapter.