Lenzing report details sustainability achievements

Lenzing, Austria – Lenzing, global provider of sustainable fibers for the textile and nonwoven industries, has released its 2024 Annual and Sustainability Report, showcasing notable strides toward achieving its ecological, social, and economic sustainability objectives.

Titled “Activate Transformation Here”, the report does double duty by highlighting the company’s ongoing sustainability initiatives while also emphasizing the need for greater industry-wide collaboration to drive lasting environmental and social change.

The report marks a significant milestone for Lenzing, as it is the first to include a non-financial statement prepared according to the newly adopted European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). The company also took steps to align its reporting with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines and the EU Taxonomy Regulation, reinforcing its commitment to transparency and responsible business practices.

In his foreword to the report, Lenzing CEO Rohit Aggarwal stressed the urgency of a global transition to sustainable textile production, noting that while the necessary technologies are emerging the pace of change remains slow across the industry.

“To preserve our livelihoods and those of future generations, the global textile and nonwoven industry must transition to sustainable production,” Aggarwal explained. “Lenzing has the expertise to scale the production of fibers from renewable raw materials, but we need industry-wide collaboration and binding standards to truly make a difference.”

A key highlight of the report is Lenzing’s updated climate targets, which are now in line with the Paris Agreement‘s goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Lenzing is the only producer of regenerated cellulose fibers to have a verified science-based net-zero target, further solidifying its leadership in sustainable fiber production, the company reported.

In recent years, Lenzing has made substantial investments in energy efficiency and sustainable manufacturing technologies. Among these is the construction of a biomass power plant and the installation of a photovoltaic system at its Austrian sites. Lenzing has also spent over EUR 200 million modernizing production facilities in China and Indonesia, upgrading to specialty fiber capacities and improving energy efficiency. Notably, the company has made significant progress in reducing its reliance on coal, transitioning its energy supply to natural gas at its Chinese production site.

Lenzing credits these efforts with successfully reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 41% since 2017, encouraging the company to remain on track to meet its long-term climate goals. In recognition of Lenzing’s leadership, the CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project) placed the company on its prestigious A-List for the fourth consecutive year in the Climate category.

Going forward, Lenzing continues to focus on sustainable innovations that drive both environmental and economic impact. This year, the company introduced hydrophobic cellulose fibers for nonwoven applications, which offer water-repellent properties typically achieved through synthetic fibers. This innovation enables more sustainable products for industries like hygiene and personal care.

Another major milestone for Lenzing is the collaboration with Exponent Envirotech to develop a waterless dyeing technology for regenerated cellulose fibers. The new method reduces water and dye consumption by 95% and 40%, respectively, compared to traditional dyeing processes.

Lenzing’s commitment to circular economy principles also took shape with the launch of new shoe materials made from Tencel Lyocell fibers and recycled leather fibers, in partnership with Recyc Leather. These materials significantly reduce environmental impact, offering a more sustainable option for the footwear industry.

Additionally, Lenzing’s “Glacial Threads” project, aimed at protecting glaciers through biodegradable geotextiles made from Lenzing fibers, received the Biodiversity and Water Award at the 2024 CNMI Sustainable Fashion Awards. The project, which focuses on protecting glaciers from global warming, uses textiles that can be recycled into new fibers without releasing microplastics into the environment.

Lenzing has been consistently rated highly by leading sustainability rating organizations. For the fourth consecutive year, Lenzing earned platinum status from EcoVadis, placing it in the top 1% of companies globally in terms of corporate social responsibility. Additionally, the company received A- and B ratings from CDP in the Forests and Water Security categories, respectively, and was ranked first in the Hot Button Ranking by the non-profit organization Canopy for its leadership in sustainable sourcing, transparency, and innovation.

See also:

• Lenzing makes a bigger play for the fiber fill business
• Lenzing spotlights fiber innovation, new constructions