#Knitting & Hosiery

2023-05-24

KARL MAYER GROUP and Lenzing Group collaborate to empower sustainable and aesthetic innovations in flat and warp knits

STOLL Knitting Machine - by KARL MAYER GROUP

KARL MAYER GROUP, a world leader in textile machinery and Lenzing Group, a leading global producer of wood-based specialty fibers, have formed a strategic partnership. The aim of the cooperation is to create a more environmentally friendly textile value chain: The cooperation is intended to increase the proportion of botanic and biodegradable as well as fossil-free materials used in the production of textiles on both warp knitting and flat knitting machines.

In the warp knitting sector, the use of up to 100 % botanic and biodegradable fibers and filament yarns - specifically TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers and TENCEL™ Lyocell filament yarn - is targeted. The sustainable products should also convince with an appealing look. The processing of sustainable materials can create additional possibilities in terms of performance and appearance of warp knitted fabrics.

The processing of carbon-zero TENCEL™ branded fibers on STOLL machines in the production of fully fashioned flat knitted articles ensures less environmental impact in flat knitting sector. The special, low-waste knitting process was used to produce an ultra-fine flat knitted fabric on gauge 20 machines suitable for the production of underwear. The fully fashioned process is new in this field. Usually, the process steps of cutting and sewing are part of the production of underwear.

Arno Gärtner, CEO of KARL MAYER GROUP © 2023 KARL MAYER

With this focus on cooperation, the KARL MAYER GROUP and Lenzing are offering manufacturers new perspectives. By using botanic and fossil-free fibres during the production process, they can achieve extremely low CO2 emissions and thus meet the consumer behaviour of today's consumers, who are paying increasing attention to the environmental impact of the products they buy. “The KARL MAYER GROUP is a leading manufacturer of textile machinery and always has its finger on the pulse of its markets. In addition to productivity, sustainability has become a key success factor for our customers. We work with pioneers throughout the textile value chain to provide them with solutions that have a low environmental impact. Yarn is particularly important in this respect. Recycled man-made fibres can be used with high efficiency on our machines. We want to expand the range of materials that can be processed to include petroleum-free yarn variants through our cooperation with Lenzing. In addition to more sustainability, this will also open up the potential for new product developments,” explained Arno Gärtner, CEO of KARL MAYER GROUP.

As a strategic collaboration between KARL MAYER GROUP and Lenzing, the partnership represents an important step by the two companies in guiding the industry towards a more sustainable future and underscores their commitment to empowering partners in the textile chain with value-added solutions and innovation in reducing the carbon footprint of their supply chains. “As a key player in the industry, Lenzing continues to join hands with like-minded partners to pioneer solutions that improve the quality of textile products and enable the ongoing sustainable development and growth of the industry. Through this partnership with the KARL MAYER GROUP, we will inspire the textile value chain to take proactive steps towards achieving their climate goals with easier adoption of botanic and biodegradable materials, meeting the needs of brands and consumers who are looking for eco-conscious products,” said Florian Heubrandner, Vice President Global Textiles Business at Lenzing.

Warp Knitting Machine - by KARL MAYER GROUP © 2023 KARL MAYER

The KARL MAYER GROUP and Lenzing will be showcasing a series of concept products, technical samples and fabrics at the upcoming ITMA 2023 tradeshow in booths (Hall 2-E212 and Hall 4-B-119) to illustrate the potential of knitting innovation leveraged through the collaboration. From then onwards, textile value chain partners can contact Lenzing and KARL MAYER GROUP to discuss how to achieve greater sustainability in their own operations.

Florian Heubrandner, Vice President of Global Textiles Business, Lenzing AG © 2023 Lenzing

TENCEL™ lyocell filament yarn © 2023 Lenzing

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