Metrics and targets

[ESRS E5-3; 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.

Resource inflows

[ESRS E5-4; GRI 301-1, 301-2]

Lenzing’s main resource inflows are wood, dissolving wood pulp, chemicals, fuels and water. Please note that precise figures on the absolute weight or volumes of materials used by the Lenzing Group are omitted due to confidentiality reasons.

Wood and dissolving wood pulp

100 percent of Lenzing`s wood and pulp suppliers are regularly assessed and certificated according to FSC^® and PEFC standards. For additional information on this topic, please refer to “Raw material security” and “Business conduct” chapters.

As Lenzing further advances its commitment to circularity in its core business, Lenzing targets to produce fibers, including lyocell, viscose and modal, which contain up to 50 percent of recycled fibers (“Textile recycling” target).

Lenzing’s most important chemicals that account for about 85 percent of the total volume purchased include caustic soda (NaOH), carbon disulfide (CS₂), sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄), sulfur (S), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), softening agents, flame retardants, N-methylmorpholine N-oxide (NMMO), titanium dioxide (TiO₂), and zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄). Lenzing tries to source as many of its chemicals as possible regionally. For Lenzing regionally sourced means from the same or the neighbouring country as the production facility. For more information, please see “Business conduct” chapter.

Lenzing engaged in comprehensive dialogues with its suppliers to explore the possibilities of procuring caustic soda with reduced GHG emissions.

In Lenzing’s lyocell manufacturing process, it is possible to recover 99.8 percent of NMMO, enabling the reduction of resources. The recovery of carbon disulfide and hydrogen sulfide from the production process of viscose and modal fibers enhances circularity standards, as both are converted and returned to the process as raw materials. For more detailed information, refer to the “Pollution” chapter.

Fuels

Fiber production is an energy intensive process and Lenzing is trying to use renewable fuels wherever possible. For more information on this topic, please see the “Climate change” chapter. Upholding its objectives, Lenzing was the first cellulosic fiber producer to set concrete science-based target approved by the Science Based Targets initiative aiming for a reduction of GHG emissions.

Water

Water is a valuable limited resource, which is necessary for Lenzing’s manufacturing processes, further details on water and its recycling are provided in the “Water and marine resources” chapter.

Packaging

Chemicals are delivered in different forms of packaging such as containers and big bags. Lenzing has implemented take-back systems with its suppliers in order to reduce packaging waste. These systems not only ensure proper disposal but also facilitate the reuse of packaging material.

The dissolving wood pulp is transported in freight cars and trucks while fiber bales are shipped in plastic films. This is necessary for product protection and transportation. The recycling of packaging for fiber bales lies outside of Lenzing’s operational system boundary due to lack of control and influence at the downstream customer. Nonetheless, the company is currently evaluating potential for reducing packaging waste from sold goods.

Management of packaging waste is a shared responsibility of Lenzing and its business partners. Proper disposal and participation in recycling programs as well as take-back systems can significantly contribute to reducing packaging waste.

Resource outflows

[ESRS E5-5; GRI 306-1, 306-2, 306-3, 306-4, 306-5]

Products

Lenzing’s main products are its fibers. Co-products from the biorefineries are sold to other industries. LENZING™ fibers are primarily used for clothing, home textiles, hygiene and other products. Its fiber portfolio includes three types of fibers: lyocell, modal, and viscose (rayon).

Products with a benefit

Lenzing offers net-benefit products which deliver environmental and societal advantages as well as benefits for value chain partners, surpassing many competing alternatives. These products take into account the entire life cycle, encompassing both upstream and downstream value chain processes.

Moreover, TENCEL™ Lyocell and Modal and LENZING™ ECOVERO™ fibers are certified with the widely recognized EU Ecolabel¹. This label is awarded to products meeting high environmental standards throughout their entire life cycle.

In 2023, the product portfolio expanded further with LENZING™ ECOVERO™ branded fibers (textiles) and VEOCEL™ branded fibers (nonwovens) being certified with the EU Ecolabel at the site in Purwakarta (Indonesia). For more information on products and technologies, please refer to the Lenzing website or the “Sustainable innovations” chapter.

Co-Products

Lenzing puts its biorefinery and co-products to new uses in other industries, such as LENZING™ Acetic Acid Biobased, LENZING™ Furfural Biobased, xylose (wood sugar)⁴, LENZING™ Soda Ash or LENZING™ Magnesium-Lignosulfonate Biobased.

Waste management

Lenzing uses licensed contractors to dispose of waste. Audits of these service providers are conducted in periodic intervals. Any contractor found to be non-compliant has its contract terminated. There were no such cases in 2023.

Waste is categorized in line with national legislation. There may also be long delays in obtaining the related data and information when an external party, such as an authorized waste management company, determines the management option of a waste stream. All these factors may result in significant fluctuations in waste reporting from year to year. The company’s approach to waste management uses a management hierarchy as its guiding principle. This means that Lenzing plans and prioritizes waste management as follows:

1. Prevention and reduction
2. Reuse and recycling
3. Energy recovery
4. Landfill

Wherever possible, waste is avoided or reduced, e.g. by modifying processes to increase material efficiency or by adopting good housekeeping and operational practices. Recyclable components of waste are separated. Unrecyclable components are disposed of in accordance with local legislation. Wherever possible Lenzing recovers energy from unrecyclable components in facilities such as incinerators. Landfilling of waste is subject to strict national regulations. Hazardous waste is either treated or disposed of in accordance with the applicable regulations.

The total amount of waste has increased due to the addition of two production sites in comparison to the previous years. There is a significant shift in the proportion of hazardous and non-hazardous waste due to the changes in waste classification under the Indonesian regulation, e.g. boiler ash is reclassified as non-hazardous waste. Furthermore, cooperation with waste management company at the site in Purwakarta (Indonesia) resulted in substantial reduction of waste to landfill and increase in material recycling.

¹ The EU Ecolabel is recognized in all member states of the European Union, as well as Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland. The voluntary label, introduced by an EU regulation (Regulation EEC 880/92) in 1992, has gradually become a reference point for consumers who want to help reduce pollution by purchasing more environmentally-friendly products and services. EU Ecolabel for textile products (license no. AT/016/001)

² S.-J. Royer et al , Not so biodegradable: Polylactic acid and cellulose/plastic blend textiles lack fast biodegradation in marine waters | PLOS ONE, 2023

³ LENZING™ fibers which are TÜV certified biodegradable (soil, fresh water & marine) and compostable (home & industrial) include the following products: LENZING™ Viscose Standard textile/nonwovens, LENZING™ Lyocell Standard textile/nonwovens, LENZING™ Modal Standard textile, LENZING™ Lyocell Filament, LENZING™ Lyocell Dry and LENZING™ Web Technology. An exception in certification applies for the fibers LENZING™ Lyocell Filament and LENZING™ Lyocell Dry, for which the necessary tests for confirming biodegradability in marine environment were not yet done or finalized.

⁴ Purified/marketed by partner company