Lenzing, an Austrian producer of wood-based cellulosic fibres (viscose, modal, and lyocell), stands out as a leading European company integrating sustainability as a core business strategy and driver of innovation.

A Holistic Approach to a Greener Value Chain

Lenzing's commitment to sustainability is comprehensive, spanning its entire value chain. This begins with responsible sourcing: over 99% of its wood and pulp come from certified (FSC® or PEFC™) or controlled sources, ensuring forest health, biodiversity protection, and community respect.

In production, Lenzing prioritises efficiency and environmental soundness. Its TENCEL™ Lyocell fibres are produced in a closed-loop system, recovering and reusing over 99% of solvents. The company also invests in advanced wastewater treatment and air emission controls. Furthermore, Lenzing is transitioning to cleaner energy, achieving 100% green electricity at four sites by 2024, phasing out coal in its Nanjing (China) operations, and increasing renewable energy consumption across the Group.

Lenzing extends its sustainability commitment to suppliers, monitoring them through assessments like EcoVadis and audits by Together for Sustainability. These efforts covered approximately 60% of Global Procurement spend in 2024, including wood and pulp.

Science-Based Targets: A Compass for Climate Action
Recognising the urgency of climate change, Lenzing was one of the first fibre producers to have its climate targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). These targets align with the Paris Agreement, aiming to limit global warming to 1.5°C. Starting from these targets, Lenzing has developed and published pledges on EU Textiles Ecosystem Platform.
Continuous monitoring and reporting ensure transparency and accountability.

Innovation for Circularity

Lenzing is at the forefront of innovations designed to reduce waste, maximise resource utilisation, and facilitate textile recycling.
Its groundbreaking REFIBRA™ technology upcycles cotton textile waste into new TENCEL™ Lyocell fibres. This success has led to the global availability of LENZING™ ECOVERO™ fibres, which incorporate up to 20% recycled content from pre- and post-consumer textile waste.
Another innovation is a resource-efficient dyeing approach for TENCEL™ Lyocell fibres. This method uses yarn pretreatment and a knitting technique to achieve a "washed-out" aesthetic with a lower environmental impact than conventional dyeing.
Lenzing also actively collaborates on textile recycling projects, such as the 2024 partnership with Recyc Leather to combine recycled leather fibres with TENCEL™ Lyocell fibres for footwear, utilised by the Danish brand GANNI.

Recognised Achievements

Lenzing's dedication to sustainability has earned it numerous awards and rankings. In 2024, it received one of the best scores in Canopy’s Hot Button Ranking for forest sourcing and was awarded Platinum status by EcoVadis. The same year, it won the Biodiversity and Water Award at the CNMI Sustainable Fashion Awards and the VÖNIX Sustainability Award from the Vienna Stock Exchange in the “Industrials” category.

Conclusion

Lenzing's comprehensive and innovative approach demonstrates that environmental stewardship and business success are mutually reinforcing. By integrating science-based climate targets, pioneering circular innovations, and adopting a holistic view of its value chain, Lenzing has established itself as a benchmark in the textile man-made fibre industry's transition towards a more sustainable future.