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Promising markets and sustainable opportunities
Doing what must be done
The transition to a sustainable economic system is a Herculean task for the future. There are challenges and resistance ahead, as evidenced by the continued dominance of fast fashion.
Lenzing has already taken decisive steps towards transformation and has gained a lot of experience, which is why we know that setbacks are part of the process just as much as great successes. In an innovation-driven industry, this is to be expected: To be a trusted leader in a world of change, you must also be familiar with its detours and dead ends.
Another challenge is the pressure from regulators. Lenzing has not only been successful in seeking direct dialog with policymakers but has also become a competent and sought-after point of contact. The transformational steps taken so far will come to fruition with the enforcement of an urgently needed level playing field. At Lenzing, we believe that our strong spirit of innovation, award-winning capacity, and strong alliances will continue to make a difference in the future.
Scaling of lyocell filaments
Strong partnerships for a more circular economy
Lenzing and partners from research and industry reform the textile value chain
“Many aspects need to be addressed to change the capacity of the textile industry, which is currently more suited to polyester filaments.”
To promote the scaling of lyocell filaments, the Lenzing Group is cooperating with the RTDS Group, a non-profit organization, and 13 other partners from research and industry. The CELLFIL project is co-funded by the EU with EUR 6.9 million and aims to drive the transformation of the textile industry towards greater sustainability and a circular economy.
Lenzing AG is responsible for the technical management of the project, which is focused on sustainably producing robust lyocell filaments. They are intended to replace synthetic fibers in applications. In this way, alternative sources of raw materials for textiles, both for clothing and technical applications, are being developed and used on a large scale.
By promoting this environmentally friendly alternative to the currently dominant fossil-based synthetic materials, Lenzing is once again sending a strong signal in favor of sustainability and innovation in the textile industry.
Nonwovens against plastic waste
Pioneering work with a positive message
VEOCEL™ from Lenzing raises awareness in the fight against global plastic pollution
“At Lenzing, we are committed to working closely with our value chain partners to move the industry forward on its sustainability journey.”
The VEOCEL™ brand, the flagship of the Lenzing Group’s specialty nonwovens, underlined its commitment to innovative solutions to address the global plastic crisis at the “2024 SEA of Solutions” (SoS) event in Bangkok, Thailand.
Lenzing’s involvement is based on its long-standing expertise in supplying cellulose fibers to the nonwovens industry. These high-quality products are manufactured to high production standards with low emissions, minimizing reliance on synthetic materials. VEOCEL™ fibers contribute to a circular economy that aims to minimize resource extraction and maximize sustainability.
Guided by the company’s “Naturally Positive” sustainability strategy, the VEOCEL™ brand is leading the way in accelerating systemic change by promoting effective solutions for end-of-life products and driving the conversation on how to prevent plastic pollution.
EU directive on green claims
“Brands have to take stricter measures”
Navigating regulatory changes – how Lenzing handles green claims. An interview with our certification and marketing experts.
“Our revolutionary technology allows us to track fibers from yarn to finished product.”
The European Parliament has voted to implement a directive on environmental claims designed to protect consumers from a wide range of misleading practices. In this interview, Florian Heubrandner, Executive Vice President Global Textiles Business, and Eva McGeorge, Head of Marketing & Branding Textiles, discuss how Lenzing AG is adapting to the changes and how brands and consumers can benefit from the directive.
The European Parliament’s new green claims directive aims to prevent greenwashing and misleading product claims. What immediate impact will the directive have on the discussion about the sustainability of products in the textile industry?
Florian Heubrandner: The new directive will definitely increase transparency along the value chain. Brands will have to take stricter measures to ensure compliance with legal requirements. We strive to provide our customers with full transparency regarding our fiber lines through specially developed QR code information and an updated website.
In this changing regulatory environment, what role can companies like Lenzing play?
Heubrandner: We must increase transparency through collaboration in order to drive systemic change in the textile industry. Our goal is to provide customers and consumers with credible product information that is backed up by data. For example, we have communicated our sustainability credentials to our customers and actively participate in programs organized by partners such as Cascale and Textile Exchange (TE).
The new directive prohibits the use of generic environmental claims such as “environmentally friendly,” “natural,” “biodegradable,” “climate-neutral,” or “eco” without proof. How does this affect the branding and positioning of Lenzing’s textile business?
Eva McGeorge: We need to address the need for transparency and traceability if we are to lay a sound foundation for the industry’s further trajectory. Our revolutionary fiber identification technology allows us to track our fibers from yarn to finished product. In addition, we are working with an external blockchain technology partner to ensure that every step along the supply chain is recorded and transparent. The Lenzing E-Branding Service Platform provides a single point of contact for the licensing and certification of products containing Lenzing fibers. As well as co-branding assets such as digital hangtags for textile products made from TENCEL™ and LENZING™ ECOVERO™ branded fibers. This enables our customers to communicate their efforts consistently and effectively across all marketing platforms and channels.
Young Scientist Award
Long-term talent
The Lenzing Group presented the Lenzing Young Scientist Award 2024 for bachelor and master students at the Global Fiber Congress (GFC) in Dornbirn, Austria. Now in its third year, the award recognizes young researchers for excellent research in the field of fibers and textiles that contributes to changing the world of sustainable fashion. The 2024 Young Scientist Award and prize money of EUR 5,000 go to Elli Jaakola, Carolin König, and Nurdana Orynbek. Our heartfelt congratulations to the young scientists for winning the award!
“As a leading innovator, we support groundbreaking ideas and new ways of thinking by promoting young scientists. After all, every small step forward is a step toward a greener future.”
New principal shareholder
Partnering to win
Lenzing’s main shareholder, the B&C Group, and Brazilian pulp producer Suzano S/A have signed a long-term partnership agreement related to the majority holding in Lenzing. Under this agreement, Suzano S/A acquired 15 percent of Lenzing AG from the B&C Group. Suzano S/A is the world’s largest pulp producer based in São Paolo and generated annual revenue equivalent to more than EUR 7 billion in 2023. Lenzing’s management team welcomes the transaction and looks forward to working with another principal shareholder.
“This arrangement is an absolute win: With its core competencies in pulp production and operational excellence, Suzano will make a valuable contribution to the successful implementation of our strategy.”
REDUCING WASTEWATER EMISSIONS
Milestone with excellent prospects
The construction of a new state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant at the Lenzing site in Grimsby, United Kingdom, is nearing completion after an investment of more than EUR 24 million. Commissioning of the technical systems has begun, and the plant will be fully operational by early 2025. This project is a major step forward in the site’s sustainability roadmap. Thanks to the modernization, the plant will reduce water emissions in Grimsby by 65 to 80 percent. Lenzing has biological wastewater treatment plants that meet best available technology (BAT) quality standards.
“This is a major step forward in achieving Lenzing’s strategic goals and a milestone in our long-term plan to provide the Grimsby site with a solid platform for sustainable growth.”
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Tackling the challenges of the textile and nonwovens industry together.
