TENCEL™ Lyocell produced with REFIBRA™ technology – development of circular flow models
TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers produced with REFIBRA™ recycling technology were presented for the first time in 2016 and launched successfully in 2017. The fibers are manufactured using the lyocell process, in which some pre-consumer waste (especially cotton offcuts from the textile industry) is used as a raw material. This not only makes Lenzing the world's first manufacturer to produce cellulose fibers from recycled materials on a commercial scale, but also the first to offer new solutions for a circular economy.
- Circular economy – a systemic challenge
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The Lenzing Group exemplifies the circular economy model.
The above graphic describes the elements of circular economy and how Lenzing practices them.
Lenzing itself is working both on further refinement of REFIBRA™ technology and on showcasing its ecological benefits. On the technological side, this not only involves optimizing the processes, but also expanding the raw material base. Furthermore, recycling options for discarded textiles (post-consumer waste) are being investigated. This development also involves mixed textiles made of different fiber types, making it very complex and challenging.