Lenzing adopts green energy in Indonesia

The Lenzing Group is increasing the amount of green power it uses globally and transitioning its production site in Purwakarta to green energy. Since July, PT. South Pacific Viscose (SPV), an Indonesian subsidiary, has only used power produced by renewable resources, which would lower its particular carbon emissions by 75,000 tonnes yearly.

Lenzing is the first fiber manufacturer to announce a goal in 2019 to become climate neutral by 2050 and cut its carbon emissions in half by 2030. The Science Based Targets Initiative has acknowledged this carbon reduction goal. Lenzing is actively making investments in Purwakarta to lower carbon emissions as well as air and water pollution. Lenzing is progressively transferring its current capacity for standard viscose thanks to a €100 million investment in this sector.

Robert van de Kerkhof, chief commercial officer for Fibre at Lenzing, said that their wood-based, biodegradable speciality fibers are in high demand. They anticipate tremendous growth, particularly in Asia. The transformation of their Indonesian location into a speciality fiber provider has advanced significantly with the transition to green, renewable power. This puts them in a better position to address the rising demand for fibers made responsibly.

The most urgent issue of our time is man-made climate change. Due to its rapid fashion business model and expanding use of fossil fuels in textile production, the fashion industry has a very detrimental impact on the environment. According to a news release from Lenzing, speciality viscose fibers sold under the Veocel brand with Eco Care technology and Ecovero viscose fibers for textiles both produce 50% less water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions than normal viscose.

The main strength of Lenzing is specialty fibers. By 2024, the firm expects its wood-based, biodegradable speciality fibers business, which it operates under the Tencel, Lenzing Ecovero, and Veocel brands, to account for more than 75% of total fiber sales. With the opening of the lyocell factory in Thailand in March 2022 and the investments made in the country’s already-existing production facilities in China and Indonesia, Lenzing’s fiber income is anticipated to significantly surpass the objective of 75% by as early as