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Chemicals

Closing the loops

With closed loops and chemical recovery, Lenzing shows the way to a sustainable production of cellulose fibers.

Chemical Recovery

Viscose fiber production is a complex process in which primarily the chemicals Carbon disulfide (CS2) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) are released as gases. Thanks to Lenzing’s closed loop production, these gases are not released into the environment but are recovered, converted and returned to the production process to be used as raw materials. 

The particularly environmentally compatible lyocell production process only uses the organic solvent NMMO to dissolve the pulp. On the basis of the Lenzing technology, the recovery rate for this valuable and expensive chemical is more than 99 percent.

Regional chemical sourcing

85 percent of the chemicals procured by us involve caustic soda (NaOH), carbon disulfide (CS2), sulfuric acid (H2SO4), sulfur (S), sulfur dioxide (SO2), softening agents, flame retardants, modifiers, N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMMO), the organic solvent for the lyocell production process, titanium dioxide (TiO2), and zinc sulfate (ZnSO4). About 90 Prozent of all chemicals used at our sites are procured on a regional basis (in the country of production itself or in a neighboring country). This means that we know our suppliers.

Frequently we have built up a longstanding, stable partnership with them. Moreover, all Lenzing Group suppliers have to comply with the Global Supplier Code of Conduct. This ensures the highest existing standards of the industry.

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