EQS-News: Lenzing presents innovative concept combining sustainable glacier protection and circularity for textiles
EQS-News: Lenzing AG / Key word(s): Sustainability
Lenzing presents innovative concept combining sustainable glacier
protection and circularity for textiles
21.03.2024 / 14:35 CET/CEST
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
Lenzing presents innovative concept combining sustainable glacier
protection and circularity for textiles
• Geotextiles made from biodegradable LENZING™ fibers to protect
glaciers and avoid microplastic pollution
• Network of partners strives to recycle geotextiles at the end of their
life cycle to give them a second life as a garment
Lenzing – The Lenzing Group, a leading supplier of regenerated cellulose
for the textile and nonwovens industries, has created a unique, innovative
concept that contributes to the sustainable protection of our glaciers
while inspiring collective action for sustainable practices and a circular
economy in the nonwovens and textile value chain. The presentation titled
“Glacial Threads: From Forests to Future Textiles” took place as part of
the International Day of Forests celebrations at the Palais des Nations,
United Nations Office, Geneva.
The melting of glaciers is being severely impacted by global warming.
Geotextiles are used to protect ice and snow. However, the nonwovens used
for this are made of fossil-based fibers, which allow microplastics[1]^[1]
to enter the valley via streams and may enter the food chain through small
organisms and animals. Nonwovens made from cellulosic LENZING™ fibers,
which are biodegradable at the end of their life cycle and can be
completely recycled, are the sustainable solution to this problem.[2][2]
The covering of a small area with the new material made from LENZING™
fibers was tested for the first time during a field test on the Stubai
Glacier. Four meters of ice were saved from melting. This was confirmed in
a study conducted by the University of Innsbruck and the Austrian glacier
lift operators on the Stubai Glacier in Tyrol (Austria). In 2023, the
pilot project was successfully extended to all Austrian glaciers used by
tourists. “We are delighted with the positive results and see the project
as a sustainable solution for glacier protection – not only in Austria,
but also beyond the country’s borders,” says Berndt Köll, Emerging
Business Development at Lenzing.
Last year, the project was also awarded first place in the prestigious
Swiss BIO TOP Awards for wood and material innovations.
Commitment to circularity
Lenzing takes this pioneering innovation project as an opportunity to
inspire collaborative action towards sustainable practices and circularity
in the textile value chain. Together with a network of committed and
innovative partners, Lenzing is working on processing geotextiles into new
textile fibers giving them a second life as a garment. The use of
geotextiles is usually limited to two years, after which the nonwovens
would be disposed of. In the first phase of the pilot project, the
recycling of nonwovens made for geotextiles use has been successfully
tested and a fashionable “Glacier Jacket” has been produced, showcasing
that the recycling of geotextiles is viable. Next to Lenzing, the network
includes Marchi & Fildi Spa, a specialist in the field of mechanical
recycling, the denim fabric manufacturer Candiani Denim and the
avant-garde fashion studio Blue of a Kind.
Florian Heubrandner, Executive Vice President Commercial Textiles at
Lenzing: “This pioneering innovation project brings together trusted
like-minded companies and partners across the supply chain, demonstrating
the companies’ shared vision and commitment to the circular economy. The
collaboration is a testament to the power of partnership; driving
innovation and sustainability, reducing environmental impact and
encouraging collaborative action against climate change for global impact
across in the textile industry.”
Krishna Manda, Vice President Corporate Sustainability at Lenzing: “As the
climate emergency accelerates glacier melting, we are at a critical point
requiring transformative change for global impact. Nature stimulates our
creativity and inspires us to truly innovative ideas. As part of Lenzing’s
ongoing commitment to intertwine innovation and sustainability, this
pioneering project represents the balanced connection between technology
and nature, showcasing collaborative circular sustainable practices whilst
acting as a rallying call for collective action. Together with our network
of passionate industry experts, we can lead towards a substantial positive
impact on our planet, safeguarding future generations. This project is an
example to show the power of possibility when we collaborate together.”
The innovative concept, which was artistically staged by one of the most
influential contemporary artists, the Italian Maestro Michelangelo
Pistoletto, was presented on March 21, 2024, as part of the International
Day of Forests celebrations at the Palais des Nations, the headquarters of
the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG).
Photo download:
[3] https://mediadb.lenzing.com/pinaccess/showpin.do?pinCode=FAQIV1LQeLCJ
PIN: FAQIV1LQeLCJ
Your contact for
Public Relations: Marketing:
Dominic Köfner Eva McGeorge
Vice President Corporate Head of Marketing & Branding TX
Communications & Public Affairs E/A/T
Lenzing Aktiengesellschaft Lenzing Aktiengesellschaft
Werkstraße 2, 4860 Lenzing, Austria Werkstraße 2, 4860 Lenzing, Austria
Phone +43 7672 701 2743 Phone +43 7672 701 2331
E-mail [4]media@lenzing.com E-mail [6]e.mcgeorge@lenzing.com
Web [5] www.lenzing.com Web [7] www.lenzing.com
About the Lenzing Group
The Lenzing Group stands for eco-responsible production of specialty
fibers based on cellulose and recycled material. As an innovation leader,
Lenzing is a partner of global textile and nonwoven manufacturers and
drives many new technological developments. The Lenzing Group’s
high-quality fibers form the basis for a variety of textile applications
ranging from functional, comfortable and fashionable clothing to durable
and sustainable home textiles. Due to their special properties and their
botanical origin, the TÜV certified biodegradable and compostable Lenzing
fibers are also highly suitable for everyday hygiene products.
The business model of the Lenzing Group goes far beyond that of a
traditional fiber producer. Together with its customers and partners,
Lenzing develops innovative products along the value chain, creating added
value for consumers. The Lenzing Group strives for the efficient
utilization and processing of all raw materials and offers solutions to
help transform the textile industry from the current linear economic
system towards a circular economy. In order to reduce the speed of global
warming and thus also support the targets of the Paris Agreement and the
EU Commission’s “Green Deal”, Lenzing has developed a clear science-based
climate action plan that aims to significantly reduce greenhouse gas
emissions by 2030 and a net-zero goal (scope 1, 2 and 3) by 2050.
Key Facts & Figures Lenzing Group 2023
Revenue: EUR 2.52 bn
Nominal capacity: 1,110,000 tonnes
Employees (FTE): 7,917
TENCEL™, LENZING™ ECOVERO™, VEOCEL™, LENZING™ and REFIBRA™ are trademarks
of Lenzing AG.
[8]^[1] Senathirajah et al., 2021, J.Hazard Mater
[9]^[2] LENZING™ fibers which are TÜV certified biodegradable (soil, fresh
water & marine) and compostable (home & industrial) include the following
products: LENZING™ Viscose Standard textile/ nonwovens, LENZING™ Lyocell
Standard textile/nonwovens, LENZING™ Modal Standard textile, LENZING™
Lyocell Filament, LENZING™ Lyocell Dry and LENZING™ Web Technology. An
exception in certification applies for the fibers LENZING™ Lyocell
Filament and LENZING™ Lyocell Dry, for which the necessary tests for
confirming biodegradability in marine environment were not yet done or
finalized.
══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
21.03.2024 CET/CEST This Corporate News was distributed by EQS Group AG.
www.eqs.com
══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
Language: English
Company: Lenzing AG
4860 Lenzing
Austria
Phone: +43 7672-701-0
Fax: +43 7672-96301
E-mail: office@lenzing.com
Internet: www.lenzing.com
ISIN: AT0000644505
Indices: ATX
Listed: Vienna Stock Exchange (Official Market)
EQS News ID: 1864551
End of News EQS News Service
1864551 21.03.2024 CET/CEST
References
Visible links
1. file:///appl/crsred1/tmp/HTML-FormatExternal-m4lKR6.html#_ftn1
2. file:///appl/crsred1/tmp/HTML-FormatExternal-m4lKR6.html#_ftn2
3. https://eqs-cockpit.com/cgi-bin/fncls.ssp?fn=redirect&url=d2cf86e9e06839e6ab1ac41e640aa498&application_id=1864551&site_id=apa_ots_austria~~~18b544d0-9c71-4160-bd95-cc8b9aff9fbf&application_name=news
4. media@lenzing.com
5. https://eqs-cockpit.com/cgi-bin/fncls.ssp?fn=redirect&url=5803f22d982f72dcc3d9f0027e178e6b&application_id=1864551&site_id=apa_ots_austria~~~18b544d0-9c71-4160-bd95-cc8b9aff9fbf&application_name=news
6. e.mcgeorge@lenzing.com
7. https://eqs-cockpit.com/cgi-bin/fncls.ssp?fn=redirect&url=5803f22d982f72dcc3d9f0027e178e6b&application_id=1864551&site_id=apa_ots_austria~~~18b544d0-9c71-4160-bd95-cc8b9aff9fbf&application_name=news
8. file:///appl/crsred1/tmp/HTML-FormatExternal-m4lKR6.html#_ftnref1
9. file:///appl/crsred1/tmp/HTML-FormatExternal-m4lKR6.html#_ftnref2
OTS-ORIGINALTEXT PRESSEAUSSENDUNG UNTER AUSSCHLIESSLICHER INHALTLICHER VERANTWORTUNG DES AUSSENDERS. www.ots.at
© Copyright APA-OTS Originaltext-Service GmbH und der jeweilige Aussender