Lenzing expands Tencel Fibers to Refibra technology

As Lenzing celebrates the first anniversary of the launch of carbon-zero TENCEL™ branded fibers, the company announced the expansion of carbon-zero TENCEL™ branded fibers to REFIBRA™ technology to meet the rising industry demand for “circular fashion” and carbon neutrality.

Last year’s launch of the first carbon-free TENCEL™ branded lyocell and modal fibers have gained traction among industry partners, including fashion companies and mills. The expansion, which will be available in September 2021, will enable additional innovative solutions for fashion manufacturers to fulfill carbon reduction targets and customers to enjoy sustainable products, confirming Lenzing’s commitment to attaining net-zero carbon emissions.

The expansion underlines Lenzing’s unwavering commitment to creating a truly sustainable textile business, not just by lowering carbon emissions, but also by increasing circularity with REFIBRA™ technology.

Cotton scraps from garment production are upcycled and turned into cotton pulp in this pioneering Refibra technology. To make virgin TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers, the cotton pulp is mixed with sustainably produced wood pulp. Lenzing’s continuous commitment to the Science-Based Targets (SBT) initiative and support for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to prevent global warming is reinforced by this invention.

Florian Heubrandner, Vice President Global Textiles Business at Lenzing AG, said that although more supply chain partners, brands, and retailers are actively looking for ways to decrease carbon emissions in order to meet the United Nations’ global climate targets, the textile sector still has a long way to go to achieve carbon-zero status. They hope that by sharing their latest innovations, such as carbon-zero TENCEL™ branded fibers with REFIBRA™ technology, they can help mainstream carbon-zero initiatives, eventually leading to carbon-neutral textile industry.

With its low-environmental-impact goods, Jack & Jones, an international leading denim brand and a long-time Lenzing partner have been supporting sustainability. This is repeated in the brand’s newest collection of jeans, which contain 38% carbon-free TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers, which provide long-lasting softness, silky smoothness, better breathability, color retention, and are kind on the skin.

Mikkel Hochrein Albrektsen, creative buying manager of Jack & Jones, said that the Jack & Jones team is delighted to partner with TENCEL™ to bring more sustainable items to life that are also comfortable and of excellent quality, showcasing their unwavering commitment to enhancing sustainability in the fashion world.

Lenzing is also increasing its relationship with fashion manufacturers all around the world to include carbon-free TENCEL™ fibers into their current designs. Companies across the fashion and home segments are actively reviewing their raw material usage, from leading Chinese lingerie brand Aimer to Chinese premium home textile brand Luolai, German fashion label ARMEDANGELS, Danish clothing label Selected FEMME, Korean fashion brand Cozynet, Portuguese premium fabric producer, and intimate brand IMPETUS to US-based home furnishings retailer West Elm.

Lenzing is also working closely with supply chain partners such as Al Karam, Calik, Samil, and WTS to innovate raw material usage and technology in order to deliver new sustainable fiber types to the textile market, using a “reduce-engage-offset” approach.

Luis Antonio Aspillaga, CEO of WTS (World Textile Sourcing), said that it is their obligation as a textile producer to improve the textile industry’s sustainability. They’re pleased to work with Lenzing to provide environmentally beneficial items made from carbon-neutral TENCEL™ fibers, thereby contributing to the well-being and protection of our planet.

Lenzing brings the industry more sustainable material options right from the start of the product life cycle by offering carbon-free TENCEL™ fibers with REFIBRA™ technology, putting Lenzing one step closer to its objective of zero carbon emissions by 2050. Moving forward, Lenzing will continue to collaborate with industry partners to lower the product’s carbon footprint and offset unavoidable emissions in order to push the textile sector toward decarbonization.