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The World Sensation – TENCEL® in powder form

17.06.2009

The Lenzing TENCEL® fiber, a cellulose fiber with a variety of natural functions, is now also available in powder form. This innovation is being presented for the first time at Techtextil in Frankfurt 2009.
TENCEL®, pulverized

For many years TENCEL® has been well known as a cellulose fiber with excellent moisture management coupled with a host of natural functions. The exceptional properties have made TENCEL® a universal fiber material for textiles in clothing and the home textiles sector.
As of now, Lenzing is also offering TENCEL® as a powder. The innovation from the house of Lenzing will revolutionize applications for conventional powder. This innovation became possible as a result of adapting the TENCEL® manufacturing process. The TENCEL® powder stands out from conventional cellulose powder as a result of its form which is almost spherical. Moreover, the powder is offered in different particles types – fibrous, as granules or as a Nano-Fibrid Suspension.

New avenues

With the development of TENCEL® powder, Lenzing is treading new ground and entering a new applicational segment which has little to do with the use of fibers. „The applications as such are also not yet clear. The very first results with different partners reveal that TENCEL® powder has great potential. Thus we are entering new industrial branches and moving away from our core competence – textiles per se“, Heinrich Firgo, the manager of Lenzing Innovation, comments. Thus tests have already been run with (organic) plastics and tests as carriers of aromas and other sensitive substances. Another application will be the use as a structural additive e.g. for dyes and pastes.

Powder advantages

The advantages of a powder of TENCEL® are many-sided. First and foremost one can name the easy processability. The particles of TENCEL® powder are regular, almost spherical and thus particularly easy to process. This signifies an important market advantages compared to the cellulose powders available until now. As a result of the unique Lyocell technology, particles can be produced with a different but always unified diameter depending on the use and with the same cut length. The most important asset of TENCEL® powder compared to other natural additives is the lack of smell when processing and in the final product. An argument which is gaining in significance, is most certainly environmental awareness. And here the advantages of this botanical fiber are quite clear: TENCEL® is won from the replenishable raw material, wood. The wood used originates entirely from forestry plantations which practice sustainability. The fiber’s manufacturing process was awarded the „European Award for the Environment“ by the European Union. Thus TENCEL® powder is the perfect alternative for the future: eco-friendly, easy to process and economical.

Co-operation with Eurofoam

One of the first commercially available products is a foamed material with integrated TENCEL® powder. Together Europe’s leading foam producers, Eurofoam and Lenzing have developed a global innovation. At the furniture supply trade fair in Cologne, Interzum, in May 2009, this new kind of foam - with the trade name of cellpur – was presented for the first time. The foam with TENCEL® powder is setting new standards in hygiene and comfort. One persuasive product advantage is the superior moisture management in polyurethane mattresses. This helps to attain a drier and more pleasant sleeping climate.

Download pictures and press release

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
E-Mail: marketing@lenzing.com