Innovation
Fiber innovation at Lenzing: Science drives sustainability
OUR APPROACH
Some things only become possible if you completely rethink them. This belief underlies the culture of innovation that we embrace and encourage at Lenzing.
Lenzing drives the green transformation of the textile and nonwovens industry, with sustainability at the core of every innovation. The result? Groundbreaking innovations that deliver better fibers and contribute to a better world.
Our success stems from looking beyond the fibers to anticipate evolving customer and consumer needs − an approach that has enabled essential cellulose fiber innovations over recent decades. The inspiration can come from anywhere in the value chain. In a circular economy, all parts interlock like cogs in clockworks.
Collaborating for better fibers Lenzing collaborates with leading universities and industry associations to drive innovation. Through these partnerships, we forster knowledge exchange and ensure continuous progress towards a more sustainable industry.
Innovation fields
R&D at Lenzing: our focus areas
Pulp technology
Lenzing optimizes recovery, closed-loop recycling, and energy efficiency while developing sustainable technologies. Our innovations include new pulp qualities for lyocell fibers and adaptations for downstream fiber production.
Process development
To minimize our environmental impact, we continually enhance our fiber production. Two examples: targeted R&D projects have reduced our energy use in lyocell production and enhanced our environmental standards in the viscose process.
Product development
In this area, we develop functional fibers for textiles and nonwovens while continuously improving existing products. We enhance fiber processability and evaluate key properties like moisture management and softness to support brand claims and meet consumer demands.
Application development
At Lenzing, we collaborate with global partners across textiles, home goods, hygiene, and industry. Through shared expertise and intercultural exchange, we create new fiber applications: denim, high-performance technical fabrics, 100% cellulosic nonwovens, battery separators, innovative packaging, and more.
Textile recycling
We’re developing innovative recycling processes for cellulose-containing textiles that can no longer be used for other purposes. Given their complex composition, we collaborate with partners like Södra, test recycled materials from other suppliers, and engage in research projects to advance textile recycling and promote a circular economy.
Biorefinery
Lenzing’s innovative biorefinery concept maximizes value from each tree − by using components beyond cellulose. Our biobased products like acetic acid and furfural have a smaller ecological footprint than their fossil-based counterparts. We are exploring ways to create additional high-quality materials from unused production side streams.
Overview
Our innovations
Collaboration
Strategic Partnerships – Crucial for fiber innovation
LIFE TREATS
With Södra, we’re developing industrial-scale recycling processes for complex-colored textiles made from mixed materials – within the EU-supported LIFE TREATS project.
Glacial Threads
Our partners transform used LENZING™ fiber geotextiles from glacier protection into new fibers. A successful pilot project created a “glacier jacket” from recycled materials.
CISUTAC
In this EU co-funded project over 25 members including EURATEX and major brands, we support the textile industry’s transition to circularity by tackling key challenges.
CellFil
Lenzing is leading partner in the CELLFIL project to advance textile production, focusing on scaling lyocell filament and achieving circular economy goals.
Christian Doppler Labor
Lenzing partners with two Christian Doppler labs − at TU Vienna and at BOKU Tulln − to research circular economy solutions and sustainable cellulose-based materials.
