#Sustainability

2022-10-06

Lenzing reaches further milestones in photovoltaic and e-mobility expansion

Lenzing x Verbund: First expansion stage of the largest free-field photovoltaic plant in Upper Austria ceremonially put into operation - f.l.t.r. Lenzing Mayor Rudolf Vogtenhuber, Provincial Councillor Markus Achleitner, CEO Stephan Sielaff (Lenzing), Chief Pulp Officer Christian Skilich (Lenzing), Provincial Councilor Stefan Kaineder, CEO Michael Strugl (Verbund) © 2022 Lenzing

The Lenzing Group, a world-leading provider of wood-based specialty fibers for the textile and nonwoven industries, and VERBUND, Austria’s leading energy transition company, are celebrating today’s launch of the first development stage of the largest ground-mounted photovoltaic system in Upper Austria. Together with its energy partner VERBUND, Lenzing is also paving the way for the transition to zero-emission mobility. The installation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure at the company’s premises underlines Lenzing’s commitment to the energy transition process.

Thanks to the ground-mounted photovoltaic system at the “Ofenloch” landfill site, Lenzing, in conjunction with VERBUND, is consistently moving forward on the path to a carbon-free energy supply and has commissioned the first half of the new photovoltaic system with a peak power of 2,780 kWp. Full commissioning of the system with a peak power of 5,560 kWp is envisaged in mid-October. Annual electricity production will amount to 6,000,000 kWh, which is expected to cut CO2 emissions by some 4,400 tonnes per year. The Austrian pioneer in fiber production already commissioned three rooftop photovoltaic systems in spring/summer of 2022, with a peak power of 1,454 kWp and annual electricity production of some 1,508,000 kWh. The electricity flows directly into the company’s on-site production and will also power electric charging stations in future. In the first development stage, 16 wallboxes are set to be installed by the end of the year. A further 32 charging points are planned for 2023. The charging stations will be accessible to staff, visitors and the company’s own vehicle fleet.

Sustainability as a driver of innovation

Sustainability is a precondition for every new development at Lenzing. “Sustainable management forms the basis of our long-term economic success. This is why we are working with strong partners to become more independent of the turmoil on the energy market and to ensure greater planning reliability. Due to our consistent expansion in the field of photovoltaic and the transition to e-mobility, we are playing a pioneering role in Upper Austria and providing an important contribution to the region’s photovoltaic strategy for 2030,” comments Stephan Sielaff, CEO of the Lenzing Group.

“VERBUND’s photovoltaic operator model allows us to make the transition to solar power without incurring investment costs or risks. Thanks to the constant expansion in renewable energy, we remain on course to ecologize the value chain, while optimizing our carbon footprint, cutting costs and reducing the load on the grid, as we are using nearly 100 percent of photovoltaic power in our production,” explains Christian Skilich, Chief Pulp Officer of the Lenzing Group.

“We welcome this strategic partnership with Lenzing. Thanks to our electricity production, which is mainly derived from hydro, wind and solar power, we are making a key contribution to the energy and climate targets of Austria and Europe. We are also consistently investing in securing a future based on renewable energy. VERBUND invests some EUR 1 billion annually in the development of electricity production, storage and networks. But VERBUND also acts as an energy partner, supporting industrial companies with our solutions on their path to a green energy future. Because working together is the only way to manage the energy transition,” says Michael Strugl, Chairman of the Board of VERBUND.

TENCEL™ Lyocell - HV100 achieves global denim availability in six months; Vol. 2 debuts at Kingpins Amsterdam

When TENCEL™ Lyocell - HV100 debuted at last year’s Kingpins Amsterdam in October, 17 mill partners across five countries presented fabrics featuring the new fiber. Just six months on, participation has more than doubled, evolving into a global network that spans nine countries and four continents, signaling both strong industry momentum and growing demand.

Lenzing unveils three-tier cellulosic fiber portfolio for next generation protective wear

The Lenzing Group, a leading supplier of regenerated cellulosic fibers for the textile and nonwovens industries, today introduces Lenzing Solutions for Protective Wear. This integrated three-tier portfolio is anchored by LENZING™ FR fibers at the highest protection tier for inherent flame resistance and brings together complementary solutions including TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers, both EU Ecolabel-certified² and derived from certified or controlled wood sources³, within a unified protective wear architecture for the first time. The launch marks the most significant expansion of Lenzing’s protective wear business since the company pioneered inherently flame-resistant cellulosic fiber in 1977, and comes as the global personal protective equipment (PPE) market accelerates toward an estimated USD 130 billion by 2033⁴.

HKRITA signs MoU with Jeanologia and Looptworks to establish the Green Machine Circular Textile Ecosystem

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Textile Exchange unveils agenda for 2026 conference in Vancouver

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Textile PRO Forum calls for greater harmonisation of textile EPR systems across Europe

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Results of the 38th ITMF Global Textile Industry Survey

The global textile industry appears to be turning a corner, but this is more likely a fragile and possibly temporary improvement than the start of a durable recovery. According to the 38th ITMF Global Textile Industry Survey, conducted worldwide during the second half of May 2026, business sentiment, order intake, order backlogs and capacity utilization all improved versus March — yet every indicator remains weak by historical standards, and rising costs cast doubt on how long the upturn can last.

Cotton made in Africa partners receive top marks in independent verifications

Cotton made in Africa® (CmiA) and CmiA Organic are two internationally recognised standards that aim to promote sustainable development in the African cotton sector south of the Sahara. To ensure the standards’ credibility among brands, retailers, and consumers, independent verifiers evaluate compliance on the ground. The verification results for 2025, now published in the Aggregated Verification & Implementation Report, were very strong: The verifiers awarded consistently very good remarks regarding management, people, prosperity, and the environment.

Bangladesh: Italian textile machinery mission stops in Dhaka and Chittagong

Technological upgrading and the transition toward higher value-added production are driving the new Italian industrial mission to Bangladesh. This year, the mission will split between the country’s two main manufacturing hubs, where Italian manufacturers will meet the leaders of the local textile supply chain in two strategic stages: July 7th in Dhaka and July 9th in Chittagong.