As a leading global producer of specialty wood-based fibers, Lenzing recently attended the Proposte 2024 in Italy and Interwoven Spring 2024 in the US to showcase its commitment to driving eco-friendly [1] practices and innovations in the interior and upholstery segments. At these industry-wide events, Lenzing connected with various stakeholders from around the globe, identified emerging trends, and explored collaboration opportunities that align with its mission to create high-quality, responsible fibers.

Proposte 2024, which took place in Lake Como from May 2 – 4, gathered textile experts, upholstered furniture manufacturers, wholesalers, major retail chains, architecture and interior design studios, as well as other industry professionals. Lenzing was delighted to witness a clear trajectory of the industry’s shift towards sustainable textile practices, which resonates with its core values of quality and environmental stewardship. In the meantime, the event also demonstrated the growing significance of textile technology, which gives life to products equipped with high functionality and excellent style.

“It is now more evident that sustainability and functionality are equally crucial, and let’s not forget about durability which has also become a key factor for purchase decisions,” said Gamze Stoger, Global Business Development Manager, Home & Interiors Textile at Lenzing. “As an active response to this market tendency, Lenzing is also taping into the furniture sector through collaborative projects and innovative solutions with like-minded producers. With many exciting initiatives in the pipeline, we cannot wait to see the outcomes in product and technology breakthroughs which will add to our efforts in upholding environmental standards and product quality.”

Proposte also hinted at the use of a diverse color palette for upcoming furniture products, ranging from soft, soothing colors to bold, vibrant tones. As brands and mills eagerly launch products featuring this spectrum of colors, they are also investing time to seek sustainable dyeing techniques that enable them to offer chromatic collections with reduced ecological footprint.

With Lenzing as one of the participants and sponsors of the panel discussion, other key interior trade show Interwoven Spring 2024 was held on May 7 – 9 in High Point North Carolina. It displayed a comprehensive upholstery collection of fabric, leather and trim, served as a crucial crosspoint for buying companies and exhibitors to facilitate professional exchanges.

The upholstery segment has been navigating the challenges and opportunities in transforming to sustainable practices because of the complexity of product composition. Striving to accelerate the progressive change, Lenzing established the upholstery department three years ago and has since made some remarkable progress. Through this major fair, Lenzing has connected with other leading businesses with a shared vision, forming a strong alliance to develop sustainable furniture upholstery that fuels the environmental change in the industry.

In this three-day event, Lenzing received considerable requests from exhibitors and attendees seeking support for locating novelty yarns banks and spinners that produce yarns suitable for upholstery. As with Lenzing, these businesses aim to deliver top performance with fiber blends made with TENCEL™ branded fibers, ensuring that the pursuit of quality does not come at the cost of the ecosystems.

Lenzing’s participation in Proposte 2024 and Interwoven Spring 2024 underscores its commitment as a well-rounded textile pioneer who strives to propel positive, eco-friendly changes across every segment and aspect of the textile and fashion industry. These events also provided a platform for Lenzing to connect with like-minded businesses and explore collaboration opportunities to develop sustainable, functional products, or technologies that make them possible, further cementing its catalytic role in the global textile landscape.

[1] TENCEL™ Lyocell and Modal fibers are made with at least 50% less carbon emissions and water consumption compared to generic (unbranded) lyocell and viscose. The results were calculated according to LCA standards (ISO 14040/44) and are made available via the Higg Materials Sustainability Index (MSI) v3.7 by Cascale (formerly Sustainable Apparel Coalition).