Behind our story
About Nature. Future. Us.
Nature. Future. Us. is TENCEL™'s new brand theme line, embodying TENCEL™'s ethos of striving to embrace innovation and empower collaboration to safeguard the planet's shared futurei. It summarizes our story of being a catalyst of change in the textile industry through TENCEL™ Lyocell and TENCEL™ Modal, which are regenerated cellulosic fibers produced by Lenzing. At TENCEL™, we weave together the stories of nature and peopleii, driven by our deep respect for bothiii.
Regenerated cellulosic fibers are produced from cellulose, a natural polymer. The basic raw material comes from nature, and it is shaped by an industrial process to the final fiber product. Regenerated cellulosic fibers are produced from wood in a two-stage process. In the first stage, pulp is produced, in a manner very similar to the production of pulp used in paper industry. In the second stage, pulp is dissolved and cellulosic fibers are regenerated from the solution into a shape suitable in diameter and length. Using different technologies (viscose, modal, lyocell), staple fibers or filaments are produced for use in textile applications.
Transforming of cellulose pulp into fibers requires a special quality of pulp, referred to as dissolving wood pulp, which must meet different requirements than those for paper pulp. Among other features, dissolving wood pulp must have a higher pure cellulose content of over 90 percent, lower impurity levels, be bleached to a higher level of brightness and have a more uniform molecular weight distribution#. Lenzing's biorefinery process ensures that 100 percent of wood constituents are used to produce dissolving wood pulp for fiber production, bio-based products, and bioenergy, thereby maximizing value creation from an economic and environmental perspectiveiv. In addition to its own pulp production, Lenzing procures pulp on the global market.
For the second stage, Lenzing uses two different processes to transform pulp cellulose into fibers. In the viscose process, the cellulose needs to be derivatized prior to being dissolved in sodium hydroxide solution. A number of recovery cycles make sure that process chemicals are either recovered or isolated as co-products. Carbon emissions and water consumption are minimizedv. The modal process uses a similar technology to obtain a specialty fiber for textile purposes.
In the lyocell process, cellulose is directly dissolved in its respective solvent. The process keeps the solvent (recovered at over 99%) in a closed loop. Emissions and waste generation are minimized thanks to the closed loop process and lower consumption as well as higher efficiency in both chemicals use and raw materialsii.
The final products consist mainly of cellulose, and majority of them are certified biodegradable in soil, fresh water and marine conditions as well as compostable in home applications and industrial facilitiesvi.
# For details, see the public Focus Paper "Responsible Production" on
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i To foster a sustainable global textile and nonwovens industry, Lenzing follows three strategic principles within the context of its "Naturally Positive" sustainability strategy, which focuses on greening the value chain, driving systemic change, and advancing the circular economy through partnerships with key industry stakeholders, such as Textile Exchange, Cascale, Canopy, Together for Sustainability, Renewable Carbon Initiative, and UN Global Compact.
ii EU Ecolabel for textile products (license no. AT/016/001)
iii Lenzing was awarded platinum status from EcoVadis for three consecutive years for efforts in transparency, sustainability reports, and work related to the environment, ethics, and human rights.
iv Only applicable for Viscose and Modal fibers ex Lenzing
v TENCEL™ Lyocell and Modal fibers are made with at least 50% less carbon emissions and water consumption compared to generic lyocell and modal. Results based on LCA standards (ISO 14040/44) and available via Higg MSI (Version 3.7).
vi Tests have been performed on LENZING™ Lyocell and Modal standard fibers, and fibers are certified by TÜV AUSTRIA.
Substantiation
1 Lenzing was awarded platinum status from EcoVadis for three consecutive years for efforts in transparency, sustainability reports, and work related to the environment, ethics, and human rights.
2 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.
3 LENZING™ Lyocell and Modal standard fibers are certified by TÜV AUSTRIA as biodegradable in soil, freshwater and marine environments, and compostable under home and industrial conditions. Tests have been performed on LENZING™ Lyocell and Modal standard fibers and fibers are certified by TÜV AUSTRIA.
4 Lenzing Focus Paper - Responsible Production, April 2024.
5 TENCEL™ Lyocell and Modal fibers are made with at least 50% less carbon emissions and water consumption compared to generic (unbranded) lyocell and modal fibers, according to Higg MSI. Results based on LCA standards (ISO 14040/44) and available via Higg MSI (Version 3.7).
6 The Lenzing Group is one of only ten companies with a triple “A” score from environmental non-profit CDP in 2023, an accolade they have received for the past three consecutive years. The score recognises performance across corporate transparency, climate change, forests and water security.
7 Refer to our fiber claims
8 FSC® (FSC-C041246) or PEFC (PEFC/06-33-92) certification.