Lenzing Group, a global producer of wood-based specialty fibers, is partnering with Orange Fiber, an Italian company that has patented the pulp production process for citrus by-products, to produce the first ever TENCEL branded lyocell fiber made of orange and wood pulp.
This new product aims to realize both companies’ shared vision to enhance sustainability in the textile and fashion industry.
The new TENCEL Limited Edition initiative combines the imagination, innovation and inspiration of eco-responsible textiles, through reinventing TENCEL branded fibers using unconventional sustainable raw materials.
“By upcycling waste materials such as orange peels in our products, we are taking proactive steps towards a more sustainable future and minimizing the environmental impact of waste,” said Gert Kroner, vice president of global research and development at the Lenzing Group.
Seeking outside of what is conventionally available The TENCEL Limited Edition in partnership with Orange Fiber presents a novel cellulosic fiber to inspire sustainability across the industry value chain and push the boundaries of innovation.
The fibers are being transformed into a new collection of fabrics which Orange Fiber will present to the market in October 2021.
“This pioneering production model can help revolutionize the fashion industry and empower brands who are looking for eco-responsible textile value chains,” said Enrica Arena, CEO of Orange Fiber. “With consumers becoming more eco-conscious, it is imperative for the industry to evolve in tangent and innovate with sustainable materials to stay efficient, competitive and save our planet for future generations. This virtuous synergy represents a fundamental step in our journey towards sustainable fabric production from renewable sources, validates our patent industrially, and enables us to increase our production capacity thus satisfying the needs of fashion brands.”
The TENCEL brand aims to guide its many global textile partners in adopting and achieving an efficient closed-loop process, as well as to achieve high industry standards.
“Collaborations like these can bring about groundbreaking change, and our TENCEL Limited Edition initiative offers an opportunity for companies of all sizes to join forces with Lenzing,” Kroner said.
Collections produced from TENCEL Limited Edition with Orange Fiber will have dedicated marketing materials, such as special edition co-branded swing tags, which will provide relevant information about the process of production and materials involved. The goal is to encourage co-development of innovative solutions to give waste a new life and promote greater transparency in the textile and fashion industry to achieve fully sustainable industry practices.
For more information go to https://www.lenzing.com/lenzing-group or https://hmgroup.com/our-stories/orange-fiber/
