Lenzing and NFW partner to provide green Leather substitutes

Together with NFW (Natural Fiber Welding Inc.), Lenzing is now able to provide TENCEL™ branded fibers as an additional supporter choice for NFW’s proprietary plant-based technology, MIRUM®. The MIRUM® x TENCEL™ partnership will be unveiled for the first time in Milan, Italy, at the LINEAPELLE international leather expo, which runs from February 21–23, 2023.

The material class MIRUM® is categorically distinct and ideal for high-end accessories, clothing, shoes, automobiles, and household goods. The sustainable wood sources used to create TENCEL™ Lyocell, and Modal fibers are also used in their production. With Lenzing’s Fiber Identification technology, which provides a physical identification of fiber origin at various stages of production, the fibers are identifiable, verifiable, and traceable.

This makes it possible to fully trace the fiber materials used in the manufacturing process, whether they are on a fabric or a finished good like clothing or shoes. MIRUM® is composed entirely of natural rubber, plant and mineral pigments, plant-based oils and waxes, and an all-natural fabric backing. It contains no plastic whatsoever. Although each MIRUM® recipe is distinct, the dedication to using only natural components remains constant. The majority of leather substitutes rely on PU binders, however, MIRUM® employs natural rubber and plant oils instead.

In order to create color or add aesthetic appeal, NFW’s distinctive technique uses a variety of natural substances like biobased charcoal, clay, cork powder, rice hulls, coconut fibers, recycled denim, or seaweed. Complete product circularity is made possible by the fact that TENCEL™ fibers are compostable and biodegradable, whereas MIRUM® fibers can be recycled into new MIRUM® or ground up and returned to the earth. While both TENCEL™ fibers and MIRUM® are adaptable enough to be used in a variety of applications, the partnership delivers a distinctively sustainable alternative for leather applications.

Oihana Elizalde, Vice President and General Manager of MIRUM® at NFW, said that the only substance that can scale to replace plastic, in their opinion at NFW, is plant matter. MIRUM® has been created with the environment in mind from the start. They can improve material transparency and traceability while ensuring comfort and a pleasant hand feel on the skin by using TENCEL™ materials in MIRUM®. They are excited to work with the TENCEL™ brand and will keep developing environmentally friendly options for the fashion industry. The Allbirds Plant Pacer, which was released in the fall of last year, is among the best instances of the partnership. The shoe’s upper is manufactured with MIRUM® lined with TENCEL™.

Designers and brands wishing to lessen their impact on the environment and broaden their creative horizons should choose MIRUM®. TENCEL™ fibers have excellent moisture management and are smooth and pleasant to the touch. In addition to producing a completely sustainable choice, adding backer material composed of TENCEL™ fibers to MIRUM® significantly raises the level of comfort of products made of leather substitutes.

Birgit Schnetzlinger, Head of Business Development Functional Wear and Footwear, Global Textiles Business at Lenzing AG, this collaboration is the ideal illustration of how combining their environmentally friendly TENCEL™ fibers with cutting-edge products like MIRUM® can go beyond traditional textiles. The new material can be used in an infinite number of ways because innovation is at its core. The use of TENCEL™ fibers as a backer increases MIRUM®’s transparency and traceability while simultaneously improving comfort and leaving a very small carbon impact. They are sure that brands and supply chain partners in the footwear, apparel, accessories, furniture and even the automotive industries will adore the adaptable material.

At LINEAPELLE 2023, both Lenzing and NFW will exhibit their goods. Visit Hall 9, exhibit H02 to see the Allbirds Plant Pacer on display together with the innovative MIRUM® material supported with TENCEL™ fibers. The “MIRUM® x TENCEL™” leather alternative product will be included in Lenzing’s E-Branding Service this year. The product is currently commercially available throughout the world.