Several hours of deep dive and numerous aha moments later, I am a lot wiser (and even more impressed): TENCEL™ is (to my surprise) not a textile. TENCEL™ is the premium textile brand among the textile fiber brands of the Austrian Lenzing Group. TENCEL™ is the brand name for the environmentally friendly and wonderfully soft lyocell and modal fibers made from beech wood as well as other regional types of wood such as spruce, birch, pine or eucalyptus, from which, thanks to innovative technology, maximally sustainable and recyclable clothing can be made, from denim, underwear, sports and workwear to shoes and home textiles.
Lyocell is the future. Therefore the claim: Nature. Future. Us
The Lenzing Group, with its innovative product and technology solutions, stands for ecologically responsible production of specialty fibers based on cellulose from different types of wood, such as beech wood and recycled material. But Lenzing is much more than a fiber manufacturer. Lenzing is a real driver of innovation. Global. With production sites worldwide to shorten transport routes. And always with the goal of making the textile industry more environmentally friendly, more resource-efficient, more transparent and better in order to contribute to positive change in the textile industry.
Lenzing brings the sustainability solution. TENCEL™ Lyocell is closing the loop.
This fibre will have an even greater impact on the textile industry in the future because
- Lyocell is proven to be sustainable
- common resources (cotton, fossil fuels) are becoming increasingly scarce
- the constantly growing world population must be clothed as sustainably as possible
What did I learn from my visit to Lenzing? A lot. I actually thought I already knew a lot, but I was always (positively!) surprised.
- The wood for the compostable (certified by TÜV Austria) TENCEL™ fibers is sourced from sustainably managed forests. At the production facility in Lenzing, Austria, over 40% of the wood comes from Austria, 15% each from the Czech Republic and Slovakia, and 20% from Germany (because the beech in Bavaria has not been thinned for decades). 3/4 of the wood is delivered directly to the factory by rail
- Production is carried out using resource-efficient processes.
- Lyocell is produced without chemical solvents
- Instead of chlorine, oxygen is used for bleaching.
- Lenzing relies on backward integration, i.e. residual materials/surplus production are reintegrated instead of disposed of.
- The fibers are certified with the EU Ecolabel for outstanding environmental performance.
- 40% of the wood is cellulose, from which the fibers are made. The residual materials are isolated and produced in the factory’s own biorefinery for products such as vinegar, birch sugar, and xylose (for chewing gum).
- Lenzing’s fiber identification system makes it possible to trace TENCEL™ fibers in all phases of textile production. This means that users and ultimately consumers can be sure that they are using or wearing TENCEL™ fibers from Lenzing and thus a biodegradable and recyclable fiber.
- To further promote the circular economy, Lenzing is experimenting with the use of waste materials such as orange peels for the production of limited edition TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers
- Lenzing works with the governments of textile producing countries to improve infrastructure
- …
And this is what I also learned:
- Lenzing is not only the name of the company in Upper Austria that produces fibers, among other things. Lenzing is also the name of the place where the headquarters are located.
- The factory site in Lenzing has an area of two square kilometers(!)
- 3000 people work at the Lenzing site, even though the production halls are almost deserted due to the fully automated processes.
- 220 people work in Research & Development. 55 of them in the laboratory (here the entire production process can be recreated on a small scale)
All this and much more with the aim of bringing about positive change in the textile industry to protect the future of our planet.
My conclusion?
I am deeply impressed by the commitment to sustainability, the attempt to keep closing the loop and to provide a truly sustainable alternative to cotton and, above all, synthetic fibers in the long term. For nature. For the future of people and the planet. For us.
And what do you get out of it?
A good feeling. On the skin, because TENCEL™ Lyocell and Modal fibers make textiles wonderfully soft. You can usually tell they are cool to the touch. They regulate moisture and thus ensure comfort. And because they are produced under decent working conditions. Maybe (or even quite likely) you have something with the TENCEL™ label in your wardrobe.
Innovative co-ops:
Ganni + recycle leather + TENCEL™ Lyocell Boots
Calvin Klein + Pinatex + TENCEL™ Lyocell Sneakers
(Mechanical) recycling of glacier fleece used to cover glaciers, which is brought into the textile cycle.
Learn more about TENCEL™. Click here >>>
