Lenzing Group partners for innovative footwear materials

Austrian fiber producer Lenzing Group collaborates with Recyc Leather and Danish designer brand Ganni to develop Pélinova, an alternative to leather. The supple, flexible, and durable material, utilizing Tencel Lyocell fibers and recycled leather, will feature in Ganni’s slouchy boots set to launch in early 2024.

Pélinova’s production involves a unique process, hydro-jetting pre-consumer recycled leather fibers into Tencel Lyocell fibers. The material boasts environmental benefits, using 70% less water than traditional methods and lower CO2 emissions.

Olivier Grammont, co-founder of Recyc Leather, highlights Pélinova’s sustainability, having recycled 100 tonnes of leather from landfill since 2017. The partnership with Lenzing and Ganni signifies Pélinova’s potential as a sustainable alternative, inspiring broader applications in the leather industry.

Ganni’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Lauren Bartley, notes the brand’s achievement of phasing out virgin leather from collections by the end of 2023. Pélinova aligns with Ganni’s commitment to sustainability, and the material may extend to other leather goods, including luxury items, once scalability is achieved.

Lenzing’s unveiling of a new processing technique for Tencel Lyocell fiber to create a traceable and fossil-free alternative material for stretch fabrics precedes this collaboration, showcasing the company’s ongoing commitment to innovation and sustainability.