Austrian fiber producer, Lenzing, has launched its new carbon-neutral LENZING™ FR fiber product for the Protective Wear market at Techtextil Frankfurt. Lenzing showed their new product in collaboration with Textil Santanderina, a Spanish textile manufacturer.

Lenzing also demonstrated how carbon-neutral TENCEL™ branded fibers, which will be available in 2020, can be utilized in the Workwear market through a collaboration with another valued partner, European fabric maker Klopman.

The two collaborations are significant because Lenzing is actively involved in delivering eco-friendly options for manufacturers in numerous areas, engaging with major industry partners to create innovative solutions and redefine sustainability standards.

Organizations in both the commercial and public sectors are trying to become more sustainable as environmental awareness grows across all industries, creating a new playing field for creative eco-friendly goods. As a result, for the Protective Wear sectors, Lenzing has developed carbon neutralLENZING™ FR fibers manufactured from a sustainable cellulosic solution. As part of Lenzing's fiber identification technology, these fibers provide supply chain transparency in addition to the advantage of decreased carbon footprint. This method allows for complete fiber tracking and prevents items from counterfeiting.

Oliver Spöcker, Director of Protective Wear & Workwear, Lenzing AG, said that sustainability is becoming a crucial driver in the Workwear and Protective Wear categories. The future success of Workwear and Protective Wear is dependent on a balance of performance, comfort, and sustainability. At Lenzing, they are dedicated to developing solutions that help their clients to fulfill rising supply chain transparency and carbon emission reduction targets.

Lenzing has worked closely with Textil Santanderina, a Spanish textile firm with a diverse product portfolio ranging from cotton classics to the most innovative offerings, for over 30 years. The newly developed carbon neutral LENZING™ FR fibers are currently being included in the company's Protective Wear offerings.

Angel Parés, TECHS Manager for Textil Santanderina, said that globally, sustainability is becoming a top priority. In certain circumstances, it is a requirement rather than a priority. They’re always looking for innovative ways to create and produce textile goods that are sustainable. They’re honored to be the first company in the world to work with carbon-neutral LENZING™ FR fibers, and they appreciate Lenzing for the chance.

Lenzing and Klopman originally collaborated over a decade ago to replace cotton with TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers. Two years ago, the business took another step ahead by combining TENCEL™ fibers with REFIBRA™ technology. Klopman is now expanding on this collaboration by being the first firm in the Workwear market to use carbon-neutral TENCEL™ fibers. The cooperation reflects an increasing need for sustainability in Workwear, in addition to performance and utility.

Amaury Sartorius, Managing Director at Klopman, said that they’re tremendously pleased of their collaboration with Lenzing and the substantial progress they've experienced over the previous 10 years. By using carbon-neutral TENCEL™ fibers in all of their collections, they enable enterprises to actively lower their carbon footprint while still adhering to the amended EU criteria for sustainable textile goods. Investing all of their efforts in preserving resources, recycling materials, and improving manufacturing is the only alternative for the future of our world.

As transparency standards and carbon reduction objectives for textile goods become the norm across the world, Lenzing will continue to create creative and sustainable solutions to meet the demands of industry partners, customers, and the environment.