In addition to its annual report, the Austrian fiber manufacturer Lenzing AG has also published the sustainability report 2024, for the first time in accordance with the provisions of the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). According to this, Lenzing AG 2024 updated its climate goals in order to align its commitment to climate protection to the goals of Paris’ Convention to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. According to her own statements, she is currently “the only producer of regenerated cellulose fibers with a reviewed, scientifically sound net zero goal”.
The following eight topics were defined as significantly: climate & energy, water & pollution, biodiversity & ecosystems, circular economy & resources, responsible wood procurement, sustainable innovations & products, human rights & fair work practices, corporate ethics and transparency.
In order to achieve both short -term and long -term scientifically well -founded goals, Lenzing is currently implementing a climate action plan that is part of the corporate strategy and has been approved by the board. In recent years, for example, the company has invested in a photovoltaic system and a biomass power plant for its Austrian locations.
In addition, the group invested more than 200 million euros to modernize production locations in China and Indonesia. The renovation measures, which, in addition to the conversion to capacities for special fibers, also aimed at reducing specific emissions, were implemented in 2023. With the commissioning of two gas turbines at the Chinese location, Lenzing achieved another milestone in the reporting year when converting the energy supply from coal to natural gas.
CO2 emissions
The group admits that the production of fiber pulp and fibers are energy -intensive processes that are a challenge for him. The company therefore dispenses with fossil energy as far as possible and replaces them with renewable energy sources. Investments in state-of-the-art technologies and manufacturing processes with low CO2 emissions have contributed to increasing energy efficiency and reducing the company’s entire greenhouse gas emissions. For the fourth time in a row, the company therefore rely on the A-list in the “Climate Change” category for the fourth time in a row.
Lenzing AG has been able to reduce the specific greenhouse gas emissions by 41 percent since 2017 and is therefore on course to achieve their scientifically sound goals.
Wastewater emissions
In addition to the complete commissioning of a modernized wastewater treatment plant at the Indonesian location, Lenzing also carried out further measures to implement a new wastewater treatment plant at the Grimsby (UK) location in the reporting year. The commissioning of the plant, to which Lenzing has invested 24 million euros since 2021, is planned for 2025. After completing this project, sewage emissions at the location should be reduced by up to 80 percent.
Sustainable innovations
Lenzing also presents hydrophobic cellulose fibers for sustainable non -woven fabrics, which through their property of forwarding liquids on their surface, offer completely new product solutions for hygiene applications, which have so far only been achieved by using plastics.
Together with the technology start-up exponent Envirotech, a waterless coloring technology for regenerated cellulose fibers was introduced, which reduces water and dye consumption by 95 percent or 40 percent compared to conventional water-based coloring methods.
Textile recycling
In the field of textile waste, Lenzing worked on the market together with the expert for leather alternatives Recyc Leather from Tencel Lyocell fibers and recycled leather fibers, which are characterized by lower environmental effects.
The “Glacial Threads: From Forests To Future Textiles” project combines glacier protection and textile recycling: Together with partners, Lenzing is currently working to process geotextiles from biodegradable Lenzing fibers after their use into new textile fibers. The pilot project was awarded the “Biodiversity and Water Award” at the CNMI Sustainable Fashion Awards 2024 in Milan.
As part of the Cellfil project launched last year, which is co-financed by the EU at 6.9 million euros, Lenzing works with the non-profit organization RTDS Group and 13 other partners from research and industry to promote the scaling of Lyocell f however.
Since 2021, Lenzing has also been working with the Swedish pulp producer Södra to jointly develop new procedures for recycling old textiles on an industrial scale. The project was supported in 2023 as part of the Life 2022 program with a grant from the EU of 10 million euros.
The fiber manufacturer also presented the results for the 2024 financial year at the same time.