Actions

[ESRS E2-2; GRI 3-3d, 303-2, 306-2]

A summary of the “Actions taken” can be found in the management approach at the beginning of this chapter.

Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC)

Lenzing is fully committed to the Supplier to Zero roadmap of the multi-stakeholder ZDHC initiative and has adopted the MMCF guideline from the start. All Lenzing viscose sites completed their first Supplier to Zero Platform assessment and successfully achieved overall performance of ‘aspirational’ level. For more details on this action and its time horizon, please see the “ZDHC viscose” target.

In the latest 2024 wastewater test reports, both the Prachinburi (Thailand) and the Heiligenkreuz (Austria) site met the ‘aspirational’ level for MMCF ZDHC wastewater parameters as well as for the ZDHC Supplier to Zero Platform. For more information on this action and its time horizon, please see the “ZDHC lyocell” target.

Carbon disulfide adsorption plant (CAP)

Lenzing’s plant in Purwakarta (Indonesia) has greatly improved its environmental performance. The completed, since 2021 EUR 100 million, plant upgrade includes two major components. First, the new carbon disulfide adsorption plant (CAP), operated successfully in its first full year. Data shows that the new CAP contributed to achieving Lenzing’s “Air emission” target. The second component is an upgraded WWTP described below under WWTP Actions.

Wastewater treatment plant (WWTP)

Effluents are discharged in a controlled manner, therefore avoiding groundwater contamination. Process water is treated at biological wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Such WWTPs are in operation at all Lenzing sites except Grimsby (UK). Lenzing invested 24 million EUR in a new WWTP in Grimbsy, in order to meet the ambitious Lenzing Environmental Group Standards. The start-up and commissioning of the equipment began in 2024 and seeding of biomass commenced in January 2025, with an estimated three to six months required for the biomass to build up and acclimatize. Subsequently, balancing plant operations will ensure optimal performance and efficiency. This step will provide the site with an enormous leap forward in its sustainability roadmap and paving the way for the fulfilment of the “ZDHC lyocell” target. Once it is up and running, the plant is set to reduce water emissions by between 65 percent and 80 percent.

Organic chemicals from pulp production waste streams are extracted early on in the biorefinery process at the Lenzing (Austria), Paskov (Czech Republic) and Indianópolis (Brazil) sites which significantly reduces the chemical oxygen demand (COD) of effluent water. Additionally, the Paskov site converts COD to biogas to be used as a fuel onsite. These are examples of best practices in which potential waste streams are converted into useful products, thereby avoiding pollution and reducing the amount of wastewater to be treated at WWTPs.

Lenzing’s plant in Purwakarta (Indonesia) upgraded its WWTP. Construction was concluded in 2023 and it has been fully operational since early 2024, significantly reducing wastewater emissions (COD and sulfate).

In 2021, another WWTP upgrade project was approved for the site at Mobile, USA. The lyocell plant was one of the first of its kind, its WWTP is being modernized in order to meet the Group’s sustainability strategy and target for COD emissions. This investment will not only help to fulfill future ZDHC requirements for lyocell production but will also allow the potential expansion of fiber production capacity. The project included the refurbishment of existing structures and new modular elements for the most up-to-date wastewater treatment to extend the life cycle of the WWTP. The upgrade focused on reducing nitrate and improving sterilization as well as the end-of-life replacement of critical infrastructure. Construction was completed in December 2023. The new systems have been fully operational since May 2024, with balancing in progress to ensure optimal performance.

Higg Facility Environmental Module (FEM)

In 2024, Lenzing continued to implement the Higg FEM assessment and carried out self-assessments at all production sites to monitor emissions of pollutants and substances of concern, reduce pollution-related risks, and devise measures to improve overall environmental performance. Additionally, three sites in Prachinburi (Thailand), Nanjing (China), and Purwakarta (Indonesia) underwent third-party verification.

Lenzing has no action regarding the value chain aspects of the following impacts: Negative impact of Lenzing’s downstream textile value chain on water pollution; Potential for severe negative health and environmental impacts in the event of accidents or leakage related to SoC and SVHCs. Lenzing has been prioritising and working on key topics in a step-wise manner.

Lenzing has no action regarding the “Positive impact on microfiber pollution as Lenzing fibers can offer an alternative and replace plastic fibers”, as Lenzing fibers do not release microplastics and act as an alternative to plastic fibers.