Research collaborations
[ESRS 2 MDR-A, GRI 3-3f]
In 2024, Lenzing Group has numerous ongoing long-term research collaborations with customers, companies, universities, and institutes (both national and international) and contributes to leading multistakeholder initiatives. For specific details on collaborations with each stakeholder, please refer to the descriptions under each respective stakeholder.
Christian Doppler Laboratory
Lenzing is also a partner in two Christian Doppler Laboratories. One, led by the Vienna University of Technology, investigates an efficient, recycling-based circular economy and aims to provide the scientific knowledge base for efficiently recovering secondary raw materials from different municipal solid waste streams. A second Christian Doppler Laboratory, which was launched in 2023, is situated at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) in Tulln (Austria). It deals with the sustainable production of high-tech materials from cellulose. Lenzing uses the partnership with the Christian Doppler Laboratory to investigate chemical reactions during the lyocell fiber production. This will enables deeper insight and better understanding of the process allowing for improved process control.
Wood K Plus
For more information on the collaboration with Wood K Plus, please see the “Biodiversity and ecosystems stakeholder engagement” section of the “E4 Biodiversity and ecosystems” chapter.
Reducing Energy and Waste using AI (REWAI)
This national funded project (within the AI4Green program) aims to reduce the carbon and material footprint of the textile industry by reducing energy and material consumption. Together with partners Pro2Future, University of Linz and Graz University of Technology reliable, trustworthy and energy-efficient AI solutions for industrial processes analysis are being developed. These will be capable of forecasting and anomaly-spotting, and will empower human operators to make informed and more timely decisions on near real-time data relating to continuous processes.
Renewable Carbon Initiative (RCI)
For more information on the collaboration with RCI, please see the “Climate change stakeholder engagement” section of the “E1 Climate change” chapter.
Circular and Sustainable Textiles and Clothing (CISUTAC)
For more information on the collaboration with CISUTAC, please see the “Resource use and circular economy stakeholder engagement” section of the “E5 Resource use and circular economy” chapter.
CELLulose lyocell FILaments (CELLFIL)
For more information on the collaboration with CELLFIL, please see the “Resource use and circular economy stakeholder engagement” section of the “E5 Resource use and circular economy” chapter.
Environmental Sustainability & Circularity Assessment Methodologies for Industrial Biobased Systems (ESCIB)For more information about ESCIB, please see the “Resource use and circular economy stakeholder engagement” section of the “E5 Resource use and circular economy” chapter.
Bilateral research
Bilateral research is also important to Lenzing’s approach to scientific collaboration. Noteworthy examples include its collaboration with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego (USA) on the biodegradability of cellulose-based materials in the maritime environment (for more information, please see the “End of product use” focus paper).
European Polysaccharide Network of Excellence (EPNOE)
Lenzing is also active in scientific networks such as the EPNOE and in supporting research projects, by providing input and engaging in discussions. Lenzing’s R&D experts also participate in relevant conferences and have given several talks or have been part of panel discussions with a focus on sustainability, biodiversity and recycling.
Industry associations and initiatives
Industry associations and initiatives are also an important cornerstone for deepening cooperations and developing new networks – again with a very strong focus on sustainability. The European Technology Platform for the Future of Textiles and Clothing (Textile ETP), of which Lenzing is a member, is a very active player in this field. In 2024 Lenzing also became a member of the Bio-Based Industries Consortium, which has more than 550 members from various fields related to biobased materials. Lenzing will use this membership to expand its network and to further boost the transition towards a circular bio-based industry.