Lenzing to market Viloft ‘warm viscose’ fibre

15 February 2010, Lenzing – Austrian cellulose fibre manufacturer Lenzing, has partnered with Germany’s Kelheim Fibres to add the company’s Viloft ‘warm viscose’ fibre to its global fibre portfolio.

Lenzing and Kelheim announced the partnership at last week’s Parisian yarn show Expofil and will cooperate to market Kelheim’s Viloft, a specialty viscose fibre with a flat fibre cross-section. Viloft’s modified cross-section is said to create air pockets in a yarn which act as a buffer against cold and give particularly good insulation values. In contrast, conventional viscose fibres tend to be smooth and cooling and thus are not suitable for warm clothing, whereas Viloft on the other hand has warming properties and is at the same time a natural cellulose fibre, the company adds.

30% better thermal insulation than cotton knit fabrics

Viloft knit fabrics are said to offer 30% better thermal insulation than cotton knit fabrics. Test results published by Kelheim in 2009 showed that Viloft’s special cross section allows yarns to be created with considerably more air pockets which allow the manufacture of fabrics with a light airy feel. Lenzing says that even a small percentage of Viloft fibre is enough to make fabrics warmer and designers can create warm and skin-friendly textiles which are naturally soft, supple and breathable.

Lenzing claims that when blended with synthetic fibres and wool, Viloft’s properties are shown to be particularly effective since moisture absorption and softness are desired benefits. This precise combination of fibre properties makes Viloft ideal for use in the lingerie sector, the company says. Another claimed advantage is ease of care, as Viloft fabrics are machine washable.

Promising partnership

The two companies say the Lenzing - Kelheim partnership is full of promise. Dieter Eichinger, Head of the Business Unit Lenzing Textiles, explains, “Viloft enriches the Lenzing fibre portfolio and fits perfectly under the Lenzing banner and expands the fibre technologies we are able to offer to the textile market.”

“Cooperation with Lenzing to market Viloft will rapidly expand the fibre’s potential,” says Matthew North, Head of Sales for Viloft. “Taking advantage of the Lenzing group’s international presence with marketing organizations in every continent will clearly accelerate Viloft’s expansion in the global market.”

Lenzing will market Viloft as a Lenzing fibre and global support will be offered as with other Lenzing specialty fibres. The Lenzing Viloft brand name can only be used after certification which involves a quality check.