In Austria, Lenzing partnered up with Swiss automaker Rinspeed to expand into automotive seat covers and upholstery. Lenzing produces Tencel, a brand of lyocell derived from wood, which is commonly used for clothing and textiles, hygiene products, baby wipes, and more.
Robert van de Kerkhof, Chief Commercial Officer at the Lenzing Group, told Sustainable Brands that “Made of wood, LENZING fibers are sustainably sourced, produced via eco-responsible production processes, and certified as compostable and biodegradable. A specialized offering, LENZING for Automotive Interiors develops upon our goal to foster ways to reduce environmental impact of the automotive industry with LENZING Lyocell and Modal fibers, which are enabled by REFIBRA technology — which integrates pre-consumer, upcycled cotton scraps with wood pulp sourced from renewable forests to produce virgin LENZING Lyocell fibers through closed-loop production processes — and **Eco Color **technology. Dope-dyed LENZING Modal fibers, enabled by Eco Color technology, features long-lasting color-fastness and can save up to 50 percent of energy and water, as well as 60 percent reduction in carbon footprint during dyeing process. With such offerings, we hope to set a benchmark for sustainable automotive interiors and encourage positive change across the industry.”