New Lenzing Process Eliminates Discoloration from Fibers
Lenzing is reinforcing its commitment to the sustainability of the textile value chain with a new process that addresses the problem of light-colored cellulosic fiber garments that are discolored by the application of high heat.
Targeted first to the innerwear and shapewear segments, the new process eliminates the yellowing that occurs with high-temperature molding. This will allow consumer brands to offer more garments in more fabrics and in a wider range of colors.
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The absence of chemicals in the new process gives cellulosic fibers like Lenzing’s Tencel Lyocell and Modal another advantage over synthetic fibers which rely on chemicals to reduce discoloring. Eliminating that step during the production and dying of light colored garments will reduce problematic delays in the process.
Rex Mok, Lenzing’s vice president of fiber technical marketing and development, noted that the new processing solution eliminates a lingering issue in the industry while advancing the Austrian fiber producer’s goal of improving and expanding the application of cellulosic fibers. These are derived from sustainable wood sources and produced in an environmentally sensitive way.
“Through ongoing innovation and close collaboration with fabric mill partners, we have not only addressed a common technical challenge,” he said, “but also enhanced sustainability in the value chain with the potential to increase usage of botanic fibers across innerwear and outdoor garments.”
Lenzing, based in Austria, will work with fabric mills to provide technical analysis of fibers and fabrics and recommendations for those products, as well as support through to the end-garment stage. Yelin is the first mill partner to get on board.
“Lenzing team’s processing solution and technical support have made our lives easier,” said Li Wei, Yelin product manager. “Our customers have been positive about the visible improvement of the yellowish issues in fabrics.”
While seamless lingerie and shapewear are the initial focus of the new process, other categories are in the pipeline. They include outdoor apparel and other kinds of ready-to-wear, in addition to waterproof garments, windbreakers, jackets and other waterproof clothing produced with stitch-free techniques or heat seal bonding.
The Lenzing Group produces Tencel and Veocel branded lyocell fibers, premium Tencel fibers with Refibra technology and zero-carbon Tencel lyocell fibers. In April it acquired a 43 megawatt biomass power plant in Burgenland.
