The independent testing and certification system Oeko-Tex presented its Sustainability Award to the leading fibre manufacturer Lenzing in the category ‘Product Innovation’, soon after the company celebrated its anniversary under a logo ‘75 Years of Innovation’.

Five companies from the textile and clothing industry received an award each in a different category: environmental management, quality management, social responsibility, safety management and product innovation.

Innovative and sustainable

A jury with seven representatives of the Oeko-Tex Association, of NGOs, industry and research as well as associations and the trade press selected the winners: “Lenzing AG is a model example of how to achieve and expand global leadership in innovation and technology through a consistent focus on innovation and close cooperation with research institutes and universities.”

The jury also highlighted the company’s achievements in the field of pioneering and innovative fibres, such as the lyocell fibre Tencel.

It was also impressed by the way the company manages to convey its philosophy with a focus on sustainability with its latest achievement, an ‘Edelweiss’ technology, the application of an oxygen-based process that makes the modal fibres produced with this technology even more environmentally friendly and CO2 neutral.

Certifications

“Certifications also play a key role in the nonwovens segment. Quality is of the utmost importance in many of our end applications, especially disposable products with direct skin contact, such as hygienic or baby products, but also in the medical segment", explained Wolfgang Plasser, general manager and vice president Nonwoven Fibres.

“The customers along the nonwovens processing chain demand individual, innovative solutions which can be disposed of after use with a good conscience. The Oeko-Tex Sustainability Award once again underlines the fact that Lenzing in its role as a raw material supplier is the ideal partner from the very beginning.”

Lenzing’s chief executive officer Peter Untersperger commented: “Lenzing manufactures products from the raw material wood in an environmentally responsible manner. Lenzing has set new standards for the entire cellulose fibre industry on the basis of sustainable process improvements and its success in largely closing chemical cycles as well as the use of state-of-the-art wastewater and exhaust air  purification processes.”

Oeko-Tex

The Oeko-Tex Standard 100 is an independent testing and certification system for textile raw materials, intermediate and end products at all stages of production, such as fibres, yarns, fabrics and ready-made articles including accessories.

The aim of the Sustainability Award is to draw attention to the exemplary companies who stand out on account of their safe products and sustainable production conditions.

www.lenzing.com