Lenzing Group partners with Cittadellarte on sustainability

The Lenzing Group and Cittadellarte – Fondazione Pistoletto have teamed up to promote a more environmentally conscious future. Cittadellarte finds a fit in Lenzing’s mission to innovate business while trying to place art in direct engagement with other industries, particularly fashion and various processes and dynamics of the textile value chain.

Lenzing, an Austrian company that has specialised in fibres for more than 80 years, recognised its environmental impact long before the term “sustainability” was even invented, let alone applied as a concept. Its top priority has always been to manufacture sustainable fibres for a variety of industries (fashion, cosmetic care, cleaning, hygiene, and home textiles). Each Lenzing product is created from cellulose derived from wood, which is a renewable natural resource.

An important characteristic of cellulose is its biodegradability and compostability: at the end of their life cycle, cellulosic fibres can re-enter the environment and form a closed-loop production process, replicating the circular notion of nature where water and chemicals are re-used over and over, and re-circulated inside the system, according to the business in a press statement.

Tencel-branded fibres are a prominent protagonist of the textile manufacturing chain, valued for their excellent attributes – softness, smoothness, luscious gloss, and flow – and found in many of the world’s most sustainable collections. Throughout the relationship with Cittadellarte – Fondazione Pistoletto, a number of cutting-edge innovations that cater for Tencel branded fibres have been highlighted.

Tencel branded fibres with Indigo Color technology, infusing pigment into fibres directly during the spinning process; Tencel Luxe branded Lyocell filaments, providing superior aesthetics, performance, and comfort to be the perfect partner of other noble fibres such as silk, cashmere, or wool; Tencel branded fibres with Refibra technology, using cotton textile waste and wood pulp as the feedstock for cellulosic fibres, creating a circular solution; Tencel branded Lyocell fibres, offering carbon-zero CarbonNeutral-certified products by Natural Capital Partners; Tencel Modal fibres with Eco Clean technology, bringing totally chlorine-free-bleached Tencel Modal fibres to the textile industry.

These two realities began a common journey in 2019 when Lenzing chose to partner in multiple initiatives promoted by Cittadellarte – Fondazione Pistoletto, and in 2022 continues to embrace this cause through several touchpoints that have occurred in the last few months, such as the recent activations during FILO Milano, White Milano, and the exciting collaboration with BMW.

Carlo Covini, business development manager Italy & Switzerland for Textiles – Lenzing, said that they felt a strong connection with Cittadellarte – Fondazione Pistoletto from the start since they absolutely agree on what the backbone of tomorrow’s fashion should be: sustainability. When this is combined with art, philosophy, innovation, and business culture, it demonstrates its full potential in the real world, and this is the only way to not only talk the talk, but also walk the walk, alongside the talents and designers who will drive change in the present and future. They can’t wait to get started on the next projects that will bring them together.

Paolo Naldini, director of Cittadellarte – Fondazione Pistoletto, said that the Third Paradise is a myth that can be explored with others along the road that appears before them when they mix diverse, or even conflicting (or purportedly conflicting) disciplines, areas of competence, and even interests. When economics and ecology collide on this path, firms are born that are good for the environment while also being profitable and productive. Opening up spaces for co-creation and continuous learning for the common good, for the good life, is already part of the result they aspire to: opening up spaces for co-creation and continuous learning for the common good, for the good life.