Lenzing starts production of its EcoVero fibres in China

Austrian cellulose fibre producer Lenzing Group announced in a press release on Tuesday that it is introducing the eco-responsible process for the production of its Lenzing branded viscose fibers also at its Chinese location Lenzing Nanjing Fibers (LNF).

“Thanks to this special manufacturing system, we are supporting the trend in the fashion industry towards greater transparency. It is becoming increasingly important to know where the products come from and which path they have covered. By now, Lenzing Nanjing Fibers is one of only two locations worldwide to produce Lenzing EcoVero fibers and this is something we are particularly proud of,” commented Hu Jian, senior vice president North Asia of the Lenzing Group, in the press release.

Lenzing is reacting to the strong demand for eco-responsible products, spurred on by consumers' growing environmental awareness, more recently in the fashion and textile industry. Add to that the fact that textile consumption is expected to double by 2025, and the industry is anxiously looking for more sustainable solutions with low environmental impact.

Lenzing first launched its branded viscose fibers in autumn 2017. EcoVero is made using sustainable wood from controlled sources that are either FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) or PEFC (Program for Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes) certified in Europe, instead of bamboo or eucalyptus, which is commonly used in normal viscose production. More than 60 percent of the trees used to produce EcoVero fibers come from Austria and Bavaria to ensure lower emissions.

Production through Lenzing's new, innovative environmental process, which is now available at the company's location in Nanjing, China, means significantly lower emissions and less than 50 percent energy and water usage than when producing conventional viscose. Nearly all the chemicals used during the production of EcoVero are recovered and reused. In addition, pulp bleaching is 100 percent chlorine-free.

In terms of transparency, a special manufacturing system enables Lenzing EcoVero branded viscose fibers to be identified in the final product, even after long textile processing and conversion steps through the value chain. Thus, retailers and brands are assured that they are incorporating Lenzing EcoVero eco-responsible viscose in their products. “Lenzing EvoVero fibers are the answer to a burning issue in the fashion industry, namely to robustly identify eco-responsible fibers from the producer to the consumer. With Lenzing EcoVero fibers, one thing is clear: If Lenzing is on the outside, Lenzing is also on the inside”, added Hu Jian.

Lenzing voluntarily enforces strict environmental standards during its viscose production and has invested millions of euros over the years to achieve an eco-responsible production process. Both the Lenzing site as well as the production location in Nanjing comply with the stringent guidelines of the EU Ecolabel. The label of environmental excellence is only awarded to products and services that have a significantly lower environmental impact throughout their lifecycle: from raw material extraction, to production, distribution and disposal.

In the future, the aim of the Lenzing Group is to remain focused on specialty fibers and to expand the production of its EcoVero fibres. In line with the corporate strategy sCore TEN, the Lenzing Group follows the goal to raise the share of specialty fibers in revenue to 50 percent by 2020 – from currently 42 percent.

Photos: Armed Angels & Lenzing