The conversion of the Indonesian production facility of Lenzing AG has been completed.
As a result of the changes made, the previous production capacities of the Purwakarta site were switched to special viscose, the Austrian fiber manufacturer announced on Thursday. Lenzing also expects a significant reduction in emissions as a result of the conversion.
Since 2021, Lenzing has invested more than 100 million euros in the switch to special viscose. The aim is not only to cover the growing demand for special fibers, but also to obtain certification for the fibers according to the internationally recognized EU Ecolabel standard. As a result, the group’s product portfolio would include Lenzing Ecovero branded viscose fibers for textiles and Veocel branded specialty viscose for nonwoven applications. According to the fiber manufacturer, these types of special viscose cause significantly less greenhouse gas emissions and water pollution than conventional viscose.
“The demand for specialty fibers with low environmental impact is structurally growing,” says Stephan Sielaff, CEO of the Lenzing Group. “With our investments in Indonesia, as well as at other Lenzing sites around the world, we are in a better position to meet this growing demand.”
The conversion to electricity from renewable energies and the planned conversion to biomass should also reduce all emissions at the site. These steps are in line with Lenzing’s announced targets to halve CO2 emissions per ton of product by 2030 and to be carbon neutral in production by 2050.