The Lenzing Group is committed to the ecologically responsible production of fibers made from the renewable raw material wood grown in sustainably managed forests and plantations. As an innovation leader, Lenzing partners with global textile and nonwoven manufacturers and drives many new technological developments.
Value chain for Lenzing’s products
Lenzing’s product portfolio extends from dissolving wood pulp as the basic raw material to standard fibers and innovative specialty fibers as well as energy, biobased biorefinery products, and co-products. Lenzing’s own pulp production at its sites in Lenzing (Austria) and Paskov (Czech Republic) is based on a biorefinery concept, completely utilizing the raw material wood.
The Lenzing Group combines comprehensive expertise in operating pulp and biorefinery processes with decades of experience in three major fiber process technologies:
- Viscose (rayon)
- Modal
- Lyocell
Further developments and technologies resulted from the above-mentioned processes. For more information, please see the “Net-benefit concept” section or Lenzing website.
The Lenzing Group’s high-quality fibers form the basis for a variety of nonwoven and textile applications ranging from elegant clothing and versatile denims to high-performance sports apparel, luxurious bed linen, and sustainable footwear. Due to their consistently high quality, biodegradability, and compostability, Lenzing fibers are also highly suitable for hygiene and personal care products as well as technical applications.
The business model of the Lenzing Group goes far beyond that of a traditional fiber producer. Together with its customers and partners, Lenzing develops innovative products along the value chain, creating added value for consumers. The Lenzing Group strives for the efficient utilization and processing of all raw materials and offers solutions to help redirect the textile sector towards a closed-loop economy. In order to reduce the speed of global warming and to accomplish the targets of the Paris Climate Agreement and the “Green Deal” of the EU Commission, Lenzing has a clear vision: namely to make a zero-carbon future come true.
Lenzing stands at the beginning of a long value chain in the textile and nonwovens industry that comprises several processing steps. The Lenzing Group’s business model is based on intensive collaboration and innovation support across all stages of this value chain. As a raw material producer, the company is exposed to largely the same risks and opportunities as the value chain as whole.
Supply and sourcing
The principal raw materials for producing Lenzing’s fibers are wood and process chemicals. The company uses dissolving wood pulp from its own production operations and from external suppliers.
Dissolving wood pulp and cellulosic fiber production
Production takes place in two stages: first, the production of dissolving wood pulp and second, the production of fibers based on dissolving wood pulp. Lenzing’s own dissolving wood pulp is produced in two biorefineries at sites in Lenzing (Austria) and Paskov (Czech Republic). Lenzing strives for state-of-the-art sustainable production technology.
This entails high resource efficiency, high chemical recovery rates and, where possible, closed loops for process chemicals and water. Bioenergy and biorefinery products are generated as well. Lenzing combines its comprehensive expertise in pulp and biorefinery technologies with decades of experience in cellulosic fiber production.
Down-stream manufacturing
As shown in figure “Value chain for Lenzing’s products” under “Manufacturing steps”, the customers in Lenzing’s downstream value chain use the fibers to manufacture textile, nonwoven, or industrial products.
Lenzing works closely with value chain partners from direct customers to retail level in the textile and nonwovens sector and for industrial applications in order to provide expertise in processing and the development of innovative applications.
Distribution and use phase
Finished products are distributed after manufacturing and enter the consumer use phase.
End of life
All Lenzing standard fibers are compostable and biodegradable in freshwater, marine, and soil conditions. However, the compostability and biodegradability of final consumer textile and nonwoven products depend on material composition (e.g. fiber blend) of the product and processing in the value chain.
