Lenzing Group and Weyerhaeuser Collaborate to Develop Sustainable ...

Tag : Tencel Fabric
News Lenzing Group and Weyerhaeuser Collaborate to Develop SustainableNonwovens
FEDERAL WAY, Wash.-(Business Wire)-July 18, 2008 - Lenzing, theworld market leader in cellulose staple fibers, and Weyerhaeuser(NYSE:WY), one of the world's largest forest products companies,will work together on the development of novel lyocell-basednonwoven fabrics. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed on 15July 2008.
The objective of the collaboration is to develop a technology forthe large-scale industrial production of an innovative andsustainable cellulose-based material for industrial and personalcare applications. The technology will provide an alternative topetroleum-based materials in nonwoven products with raw materialsbased on renewable wood fiber.
Collaboration of two technology leaders in renewable fibers
The product is based on lyocell technology in which a solution ofcellulose is processed directly and without intermediate processsteps into a nonwoven fabric.
Lenzing, the leader in lyocell technology, is the only commercialglobal supplier of lyocell fibers. The company brings over twentyyears of expertise in the development of this environmentallysustainable technology to create cellulose products from therenewable raw material wood. The company has a strong intellectualproperty portfolio in lyocell technology and the brand nameTENCEL(R) stands for excellence in lyocell fiber production.
Weyerhaeuser is a global forest products company that grows andharvests trees, builds homes and applies technology to cellulose tocreate innovative, sustainable products essential to everydayliving. The company has an extensive intellectual propertyportfolio in forestry, wood products and cellulose fibers. Itsfocus on technology and innovation has resulted in the introductionof a number of new cellulose-based products such as Peach(R) pulp.Weyerhaeuser has invented and patented unique technology to formnonwoven materials. This technology is based on the extrusion of acellulose solution through a multi-hole nozzle to directly formlyocell nonwoven material.
The new collaboration combines the expertise of these twoinnovative companies in an ideal manner. Both companies arededicated to expanding the range of applications for renewableresources and both are committed to the principles ofsustainability.
THE LENZING GROUP
The Lenzing Group is an international group of companies with itsheadquarters in Austria, production sites in all major markets anda global network of sales and marketing offices. Lenzing providesthe global textile and nonwovens industry with high-qualitycellulose fibers. The company is the leading supplier in manybusiness-to-business markets - from special cellulose fibers tohigh-tech plastics polymers.
Lenzing quality and Lenzing innovative power set standards forman-made cellulose fibers world-wide. Seventy years of fiberproduction expertise make us the only producer world-wide of allthree man-made cellulose fiber generations, from classic viscose tomodal and lyocell. Lenzing's unique combination of consistentcustomer orientation with leadership in quality, innovation andtechnology is the foundation of our success.
Our focus on specialty products from cost efficient production isthe source of our economic power. Lenzing is committed to theprinciples of sustainable management and very high environmentalstandards. Lenzing's core business fibers is complemented by ouractivities in business fields plastics, as well as engineering.
Key Figures 2007:
Sales: EUR 1.26 bill.
Export share: 86%
Production capacity: 570,000 tons of fibers
Staff: 6,043
WEYERHAEUSER COMPANY
Weyerhaeuser, one of the world's largest forest products companies,was incorporated in 1900. It has offices or operations in 13countries, with customers worldwide.
Weyerhaeuser is principally engaged in the growing and harvestingof timber; the manufacture, distribution and sale of forestproducts; and real estate construction, development and relatedactivities. Additional information about Weyerhaeuser's businesses,products and practices is available at www.weyerhaeuser.com.
Key Figures 2007:
Sales: USD 16.3 bill.
Employees: 37,900