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Together Lenzing Fibers and the Austrian Ski Federation (ÖSV) are developing research initiatives

06.02.2007

 

TENCEL® in top sporting events
In 2007 the activities of Lenzing Fibers in the „Active“ field go completely by the motto of winter sports. The co-operation embarked upon with one of the world’s best skiing teams, offers the TENCEL® fiber new test opportunities. Tests have already proven that the body’s performance is optimized when textiles of TENCEL® are worn. The performance is influenced positively by the regulation of the skin temperature. With synthetic fibers on the other hand, the skin temperature increases which has a detrimental effect on the body’s performance. Thus using this fiber of natural origin in top sporting events and taking advantage of the positive properties of the TENCEL® fiber in competitions seems obvious.

Textile research
The Technology Centre Ski- und Alpinsport in Innsbruck plays an important role in the co-operation between Lenzing and the Austrian Ski Federation. This centre unites theory and the practise of sports. A major focus lies on the research into new materials for top sports. Here there is a close co-operation with the Institute for Textile Physics and Textile Chemistry of the University of Innsbruck. Together with Lenzing and manufacturers of sports clothing, work is being conducted on new innovative Tencel® fabrics for top athletes. The president of the ÖSV, Prof. Peter Schröcksnadel, himself sees these research results as an important technological step forward.  „In our joint project, this technological leap forward is at the centre of attention. In addition mass sports will also benefit from our research work in the field of winter clothing“, Schröcksnadel explains. Likewise the Marketing Manager of Lenzing Fibers, Dr. Dieter Eichinger, sees enormous potential synergies in this co-operation: „We have already carried out tests in which TENCEL® copies the temperature equalization mechanism of nature itself. The natural cellulose fiber from Lenzing reacts in an even better way than wool. TENCEL® has – depending on the predominant temperature conditions – either a cooling or a warming effect. This balancing effect is not however achieved by means of additional fabrics but rather as a result of the exceptional moisture management of the cellulose fiber. It is this experience with TENCEL® and the exchange of know-how which produces advantages for both co-operation partners in their respective activities. The Austrian Ski Federation has a first-class material for competitions and Lenzing can use the research results for marketing purposes“, Eichinger explains.

Textile partner on board
As a fiber manufacturer, Lenzing is extremely interested in bringing other fabric manufacturers on board the research project and launching as many sports textiles with the TENCEL® fiber as possible on the market. To this end, the innovative strength of sport clothing manufacturers is also required. An important partner in this respect is Messrs. Löffler. This traditional company equips the Austrian Ski Federation. Together with Lenzing and the University of Innsbruck, a fabric was developed for sports underwear which is tested first in top sports and then added to the rest of the assortment. The marketing manager of Löffler, Reinhard Hetzeneder sees the co-opeperation as an „important step towards innovations. In particular the possibility that new materials can be tested on top sportsmen opens up the possibility to then put this to commercial use. It is a win-win situation for everyone involved”.

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Contact:
Christina Kreuzwieser
Lenzing AG
Business Unit Textile Fibers
Head of Global Marketing Communication
A-4860 Lenzing

Tel.: +43/7672 701 2331
Fax: +43/7672 918 2331
marketing@lenzing.com