Second independent audit of Lenzing’s raw material sourcing re-affirms ‘low-risk’ status

Lenzing (Austria), New York, and Vancouver – October 6, 2020: Today, environmental not-for-profit organization Canopy and third-party auditor NEPCon released the independent audit results of Lenzing AG’s pulp sourcing. The audit of the company that creates products such TENCEL™ Viscose, TENCEL™ Modal, TENCEL™ Lyocell, and TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers with REFIBRA™ technology, confirms the industry-leading rating of low risk of sourcing wood from Ancient and Endangered Forests or other controversial sources.

In total, Lenzing has seven production sites, and all their pulp sourcing is done by Lenzing’s trading company that sources more than 60 percent of the required pulp from internal production in Austria and the Czech Republic, and the remaining rest from the global market. 

The audit confirms low risk of sourcing wood from key priority Ancient and Endangered Forests or other controversial sources. In addition to a comprehensive review of the company’s standard operating procedure for policy implementation and raw materials sourcing, the audit included two short-notice surprise visits to the Biocel Paskov mill in the Czech Republic, and the South Pacific Viscose mill in Indonesia.

“A warm congratulations to Lenzing for achieving “low risk” status yet again in their second CanopyStyle Audit,” said Nicole Rycroft, Canopy’s Executive Director. “This is a testament to their leadership in meeting their CanopyStyle commitments and a solid foundation as they work to ramp up integration of Next Generation Solutions and advances in forest conservation.”

“It is a key strategic decision for Lenzing to maintain a continuous dialogue with Canopy, to constantly improve sustainable sourcing practices, to be independently verified and to contribute to global forest conservation,” said Stefan Doboczky, CEO of the Lenzing Group.

“NEPCon is pleased to be the independent auditing body for the CanopyStyle initiative, contributing to the conservation of Ancient and Endangered forests,” stated Jon Jickling, Director of NEPCon Solutions. “We are pleased to evaluate and document the long-term efforts of company’s such as Lenzing, who have demonstrated a strong commitment to the CanopyStyle audit and responsible sourcing practices.”

Key findings of the audit include:

• Current Lenzing fiber supply chains are confirmed as low risk of sourcing from priority Ancient and Endangered Forests or other controversial sources.
• Lenzing has conducted a comprehensive and transparent supply chain mapping of all dissolving wood pulp manufacturers.
• The company is using its influence to positively impact conservation solutions and commercial-scale production of cellulosic fiber made from alternative fiber sources

Moving forward, Canopy recommends that Lenzing:

• Educate key managers at each dissolving pulp production site about Lenzing’s corporate commitment to eliminate sourcing from Ancient and Endangered Forests and other controversial sources, and the importance of building distinct standard operating procedures that are complementary to FSC certification[1].
• Significantly and quickly scale up the use of Next Generation alternative fibers and act on the public commitment and timeline to launch a product line with a minimum of 50% of these fibers.
• Continue to use guidance documents such as Forest Mapper, the advice note on Ancient and Endangered Forests, and the Dissolving Pulp Classification to complete and share a risk assessment for all fiber supply inputs.
• Continue to implement the company’s FSC^® preference by increasing the amount of FSC^®-certified fiber used, with a focus on fiber derived from FSC^® certified forests (FSC^® 100%).

This audit reflects a snapshot in time, and is a learning opportunity in the spirit of continuous improvement. These results will contribute to the 2020 edition of the Hot Button Ranking.

The public report from Lenzing’s audit evaluation is available for download here:

https://www.nepcon.org/canopystyle
https://www.lenzing.com/download-center/filter1/sustainability

[1] License code: FSC-C041246