The Lenzing Group’s commitments and investments in sustainability and the circular economy have earned top marks from Canopy, as the fiber company improves its transparency and takes virtual visitors on a tour of its headquarters.
To address consumer demand and compliance risks increasingly faced by brand partners, Lenzing has introduced a new blockchain-enabled supply chain traceability platform based on TextileGenesis.
The platform is accessible by all brands using Lenzing Tencel and Ecovero branded fibers and by global supply chain partners in Asia, Europe and the Americas. Gradual onboarding and new digital certificates to ensure traceability and sustainability follow a 12-month pilot program and field trials with four sustainable brands – H&M, ArmedAngels, Mara Hoffman and Chicks – and 10 supply chain operators countries in three regions. The global implementation of Lenzing’s blockchain-enabled supply chain traceability platform will be conducted in stages.
During the first phase, Lenzing’s supply chain partners based in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka will complete the onboarding process in the fourth quarter of 2020. More than 300 supply chain partners in China and Turkey are estimated to join they will also join the program in the first quarter of 2021. It is estimated that by the second quarter, most of Lenzing’s eligible supply chain partners will be integrated into the platform, ensuring full supply chain traceability.
One of the key components of the platform is the integration with Lenzing’s EBranding fabric certification system which allows brands and retailers to not only access full supply chain traceability, but also view the results of forensic physical verification of samples. of fabric by digital signature. E-Branding Lenzing fabric certificates.
“Over the past year, we have received very positive feedback from brands and supply chain partners during the pilot program and field trials,” said Robert van de Kerkhof, Lenzing Sales Director. “Our brand partners have also encouraged us to accelerate the global launch for Lenzing’s fiber traceability. With this new system and integration with E-Branding Lenzing fabric certificates, the entire Lenzing ecosystem will create an unprecedented level of transparency. “
Andreas Dorner, commercial director for fabrics for Europe and the Americas at the Lenzing group, took virtual visitors on a “Carved in Blue: Denim Think Tank Live from Lenzing, Austria” zoom tour of the company’s vast facilities. , where the trees are transformed into Lenzing Modal and Tencel lyocell fibers.
Draped by the hills made famous by the “Sound of Music”, Droner explained how the area and structure have been “converted from a polluting chemical industry into one of the most environmentally friendly and sustainable factories in the world.”
It showed the impressive beech trees from which Lenzing’s Ecovero, viscose and Modal are derived, consuming 2 million tons of trees per year. The process of debarking trees and turning them into wood chips was shown, after which they are transformed into “honey-like” pulp and extruded into fibers. Lenzing trees arrive at the plant by truck or rail.
The factory, which produces 327,000 tons of fiber annually, is CO2 neutral thanks to a closed-loop production system, Dorner noted. Byproducts like artificial sweetener and vinegar are part of a process that uses 100 percent of the tree.
“I think it’s really cool,” Dorner said.
Meanwhile, the Lenzing Group scored a total of 30.5 points – four points more than last year – and received for the first time a “Dark Green T-Shirt”, the highest Hot Button category in the organization’s ranking. Canadian Canopy.
Lenzing once again convinced the non-profit organization with its innovative Refribra technology, its commitment to a circular economy, its high level of transparency in the procurement of wood and cellulose, as well as its active contribution to protection of forests and the conservation of biodiversity.
In this widely recognized ranking, Canopy ranks the 31 largest producers of wood-based fibers in the world with respect to their sustainable sourcing of wood and pulp, their efforts regarding the use of alternative non-wood raw materials and their achievements for lasting conservation in critical forests around the globe.
“We are very proud to be the industry leader when it comes to responsible sourcing of wood and pulp,” said Stefan Doboczky, CEO of Lenzing. “Innovation, as well as transparency and sustainable sourcing of raw materials, are an integral part of our sustainability strategy that covers the entire value chain, from raw material to final product.”
Wood and pulp are the most important raw materials for the sustainable production of Lenzing cellulosic fibers. Lenzing’s commercial wood sources are 100% FSC1 or PEFC2 certified or controlled in line with FSC standards. In addition, Lenzing successfully completed the second Canopy Verification Audit.
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