Botanic Principles

THE BOTANIC AGE

With Lenzing Fibers you can feel it immediately: the fibers come from Nature and the botanic principles are used throughout the production process. There is a piece of Nature in each and every item of clothing containing Lenzing Fibers which accompanies the wearer all day long.

The basic botanic principle, photosynthesis, is also the foundation for Lenzing Modal® and TENCEL®. It stands to reason since Lenzing Fibers are made from plants which convert carbon dioxide and water into wood and pure oxygen via photosynthesis.

Photosynthesis is only one example of the botanic principles which are important for the production of Lenzing Fibers. The water management of the plants, the mechanisms of closed loop processes and sustainability are other important functions from Nature which are applied during the production of Lenzing Fibers.

^{Photosynthesis: Nature’s own formula}

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THE PLANT WORLD - A NATURAL WONDER

The basic principle from Nature. The botanic principles are applied when producing Lenzing Fibers. Photosynthesis is the most important element. Wood is the raw material and basic ingredient for the cellulosic fibers, TENCEL® and Lenzing Modal®. These fibers can only be produced as a result of the photosynthesis of plants.

THE CRADLE OF LIFE

Photosynthesis. Plants have the unique ability to introduce the energy of sunlight into the cycle of Nature. Thus, plants lay the foundation stone for life on earth. In the complex process of photosynthesis, light energy is captured by various pigments, above all by green chlorophyll, and converted into chemical energy. In this way the carbon dioxide and water, are converted into dextrose and oxygen.

GREEN LIFELINES

Water for life. The plant root system ensures that the plants absorb water as well as help the entire vegetation store water in the soil, which is vital for life. This is a principle mirrored by fibers from Lenzing. Thus the moisture management of TENCEL® functions according to the same system. TENCEL® uses nanofibrils to absorb excess moisture and distribute it evenly in the fiber.

Structure of a leaf	Structure of TENCEL®

NATURAL CLIMATE REGULATION

Capillary action. The metabolism of plants is based on water and at the same time they ensure an optimal temperature balance when the water evaporates. The cooling energy generated during evaporation is important for the entire eco-system and helps to balance temperature variations. All of this makes life on our planet worth living. The same applies to TENCEL®, in which the moisture management principle of the plant world is a natural fiber function. Due to nanofibrils, TENCEL® can absorb sufficient moisture which it then releases rapidly into the environment. This function ensures an adequate temperature balance on the skin.

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THE BEECH TREE, THE MOTHER OF THE FOREST

Spectacular natural growth. Lenzing Modal® is extracted from beech wood. The beech tree is unique and has a long history. Beech forests grow in Northern and Central Europe and characterize the landscape in these regions.

NATURAL GROWTH

The beech tree puts down very deep roots and is thought to be unbeatable when it comes to improving the soil. Thus since early times it has been known as the Mother of the forest. It is extremely resistant to pests and environmental damages. The special characteristic about the growth of the beech tree is that they multiply via what is known as „rejuvenation“ which means that the tree population practically grows itself. No planting or artificial irrigation are required. Beech groves are a completely sustainable source.

RAW MATERIAL SUPPLIER WITH A GLORIOUS PAST

Steeped in history. Today, as in the past, the beech tree assumes an important role for mankind. For the Celts in the Iron Age, the beech tree was an important and mythical tree. They saw it as a source of strength and carved their letters (runes) into the wood of the beech tree. This is where we get the German word „Buchstabe“ meaning letter and „Buch“ meaning book from*.
^{* Beech means "Buche" in German}

IMPORTANT HABITAT

Vital to life. A typical beech grove can serve as a habitat and home to around 7,000 species of animals. In its capacity as a supplier of raw material, the beech tree is also multifaceted. With around 250 well-known fields of application, the beech tree is the type of wood most widely used.

THE BEST OF BEECH

Regeneration	Beech-nuts	Common beech	Raw material

^{Beech trees grow naturally and in a sustained manner.}

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EUCALYPTUS. ECOLOGICAL THROUGH AND THROUGH

Fast-growing. Eucalyptus is primarily used to produce the TENCEL® fiber. Eucalyptus is an evergreen plant which grows to a height of up to 40 meters.

FRESHNESS IN THE AIR

The narrow pointed leaves of the eucalyptus tree release a pleasant smell. An ethereal oil is extracted from the leaves which is used in medicine and as a traditional remedy.

THE BOTANIC ALTERNATIVE

Fragrant raw material. The aromatic raw material for TENCEL® is extracted from eucalyptus wood taken exclusively from forest plantations which practice sustainability. Eucalyptus is an interesting raw material since it grows very quickly and without any artificial irrigation or gene manipulation in so-called „wood farms“ for industrial use.

TENCEL® THE ECO-FIBER

Logically ecological. If one compares TENCEL® with conventional cotton, then it is striking that the use of water and pesticides plays no role whatsoever with the cultivation of eucalyptus trees. In addition, eucalyptus can be planted even on so-called marginal lands which cannot be used for the production of food products.

An important asset is that the fiber yield with TENCEL® is ten times higher than with conventional cotton. Thus one t-shirt of cotton can be extracted from approximately 6 m2 of soil as compared with ten t-shirts of TENCEL®. In a world in which the population is growing rapidly and land represents a scarce commodity; this argument will continue to gain importance.

TENCEL®  6m²	Cotton 6m²

^{With TENCEL® the fiber yield is ten times higher than with cotton.}

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LENZING FIBERS COME FROM NATURE HERSELF

Wood

Pulp

Fiber

Yarn

Fabric

End product

- THE BEST BEECH WOOD HAS TO OFFER

Complete integration. Lenzing Modal® is produced from indigenous beech wood and thus it is 100% natural. Pulp and fiber production both employ the principle of sustainability. Lenzing produces the pulp used for fiber production which gives it control over the entire production process. This is unique within the fiber industry.

LENZING MODAL® - PRODUCTION AND RECOVERY IN ONE

^{Lenzing produces fibers in a sustainable manner. Processes are optimized and by-products are recovered.}

INTEGRATED PROCESS MANAGEMENT

Quality is unique. As a result of using beech wood and the integrated management of processes, Lenzing Modal® has a unique quality. The production process cannot be impaired by fluctuations in the raw materials because Lenzing is controlling the process. The beech wood used as the raw material makes Lenzing Modal® distinctive.

OPTIMAL USE OF BY-PRODUCTS

Valuable materials. In addition to cellulose, Lenzing extracts various other valuable materials from the tree. Acetic acid is extracted for the production of food stuffs, as well as xylose, an important substance in the production of sweeteners. Sodium sulphate, a by-product in fiber production, is used in the production of glass. The remaining share of the wood is used in thermal plants at the Lenzing production facility and contributes towards the generation of energy at the Lenzing facility.
The many years of experience Lenzing has with the optimum management of processes makes it a „World champion“ when it comes to circuit and recycling management. Thanks to recovery units, a significant share of the raw materials employed can be used again.

 

Acetic acid	Sweetener	Glass production

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- REVOLUTIONARY AND ECO-FRIENDLY

The fiber of the future. The production of TENCEL® is revolutionary. The production process is based on a solvent spinning process and represents the greatest accomplishment in cellulosic fiber technology. The unique closed loop production process makes TENCEL® the fiber of the future: eco-friendly and economical.

TENCEL® - PRODUCTION USING THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY

^{The closed loop production process of TENCEL® has received awards from the European Union.} 

CLOSED LOOP PROCESS MANAGEMENT

The revolutionary thing about the production process of TENCEL® is the almost complete recovery of the solvent. Close to 100% of the solvent is recovered and the remaining emissions are broken down in biological water treatment plants. This manufacturing process was presented with the “European Award for the Environment” by the European Union.

ECOLOGICAL RESPONSIBILITY

Absolute purity. A non-toxic solvent which belongs to the amine oxide family and is also used in toiletries is used in the TENCEL® production process. The harmlessness of the solvent has been proven in dermatological and toxicological tests.
Another important environmental aspect is the consumption of water. To grow cotton 100 times more water is required as in the production of TENCEL® including pulp production. This gentle way of dealing with water will undoubtedly gain significance in the future.

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LENZING FIBERS - FOR A PLANET WORTH LIVING IN

Active protection of the climate. Lenzing Fibers echo the botanic principles. With the use of TENCEL® and Lenzing Modal® in textiles, trees grow to become forests and thus contribute towards the reduction of the CO2 concentration in the atmosphere.

FOR BETTER AIR

The forest, the planet’s green lung. Two tons of wood contain one ton of carbon which corresponds to 3.7 tons of CO2. Thus the forest is a climate-neutral provider of energy since when burned the carbon dioxide that is released is not greater than was previously bound by the plant.

MORE FORESTS FOR OUR WORLD

A natural habitat. The forest fulfils various functions which are vital for our eco-system as a whole. Forests influence our climate, store water, protect the soil from erosion and filter fine dust from the air.

SUSTAINABILITY - AN OLD PRINCIPLE

Responsibility. The term sustainability comes from forestry and implies that a forest has to be managed so that it can fulfill its functions. This does not only include the function of supplying raw material, it also entails the entire ecological community of the forest, its function as a source of protection from natural dangers, a place for relaxation, an area for storing drinking water and a habitat for animals and plants.

NATURE RETURNS TO NATURE

The botanic principles. Air, water and earth make trees thrive. Lenzing uses these replenishable raw materials for the production of TENCEL® and Lenzing Modal®. Biological degradability is in the Nature of Lenzing Fibers. Thus the cycle comes to a close. Nature returns to Nature.

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LENZING FIBERS - BOTANIC PRINCIPLES AT A GLANCE

	Photosynthesis Lenzing Fibers are extracted from plants which convert carbon dioxide and water into wood and pure oxygen by means of photosynthesis.
	Water management The water management of the plants is important for the ecosystem as a whole. Due to nanofibrils, TENCEL® can store a great deal of moisture and then release the moisture quickly into the environment.
	Sustainability Lenzing only uses wood from sustainable forest plantations for the production of TENCEL® and Lenzing Modal®. Sustainability is also given priority in the production processes using persistent recovery technologies.
	The cycle of Nature TENCEL® and Lenzing Modal® are produced from wood and therefore are 100 % natural and bio-degradable. Nature returns to Nature.

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