The Lenzing Group recently released its 2021 sustainability report, “Linear to Circular.” The report emphasizes the company’s focus on balancing its needs with the spirit of the circular economy.
“Our innovations in relation to the circular economy and biodegradability stem from a deep sense of responsibility to our planet and a desire to act in ways that future generations can be proud of,” said Robert van de Kerkhof, a member of the managing board of the Lenzing, Austria-based company.
With two key projects in Brazil and Thailand, as well as investments at sites in China and Indonesia, the company said it continues to move toward groupwide climate neutrality. In 2019, it became the first fiber manufacturer to set a target to reduce its carbon emissions by 50% by 2030 and to be net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, according to a news release.
A partnership with Swedish pulp producer Södra marks another milestone in Lenzing’s efforts to realize its climate and sustainability goals, Lenzing said. The two companies, which have promoted the circular economy in the fashion industry for several years, are joining forces to reduce global textile waste. They also are planning to expand capacities to recover pulp from waste textiles. Their goal is to recycle 25,000 tons of used textiles annually by 2025.
Sustainability is not only an important part of Lenzing’s strategy but also is a guiding principle for its innovation efforts and product development, it said. In 2021, the company continued to expand its product offering for the textile and nonwovens sectors. In the third quarter, it introduced the first Tencel lyocell fibers made from wood- and orange-based fiber pulp. The upcycling of orange peels is part of the Tencel Limited Edition initiative, which is another stop in the company’s effort to develop closed-loop solutions with partners along the value chain. The company also has introduced what it said are the first carbon-neutral fibers on the global nonwovens market under the Veocel brand.
The company received several awards worldwide in 2021 for its achievements, especially in the sustainability area. It was one of 14 companies worldwide to receive a AAA rating from global nonprofit environmental organization CDP for its environmental leadership in climate change, water security and forest conservation.
Also, in the EcoVadis CSR rating, Lenzing achieved platinum status for the first time, ranking among the top 1% of companies evaluated worldwide in terms of the environment, fair working conditions and human rights, as well as ethics and sustainable procurement.
