Lenzing’s flagship textile brand, Tencel is celebrating three decades of sustainable fibre innovation this year. Since 1992, the Tencel brand has empowered companies across the textile value chain to adopt more eco-friendly practices.

“Since its launch 30 years ago, Tencel has always been envisioned as a solution provider for the textile industry,” said Robert van de Kerkhof, Member of the Managing Board at Lenzing.

“Aligning with the industrywide shift towards deeper levels of sustainability and transparency, in 2018, the brand evolved from a behind-the-scenes contributor to a front-facing player. From then on, Tencel expanded its offerings from fibre creations to pioneering digital technologies. To date, the Tencel brand has exceed expectations across the industry as ‘the trusted provider’ of high-quality sustainable fibers among leading global fashion and home textile brands. We are thrilled to reach this milestone and are looking forward to driving continuous innovation and building stronger partnerships over the next 30 years and beyond.”

Digital technologies enabling supply chain transparency

Since 2018, Tencel has redefined itself as a consumer-facing ingredient brand. This success is reflected in the collaboration between Tencel and more than 300 brand partners globally in various consumer-centric campaigns. The 2021 launch of Tencel eShop, the first ever e-commerce channel created by a sustainable fibre producer, is a testament to Tencel’s strong relationships with its brand partners and its commitment towards encouraging consumers to make informed purchases.

With its circularity and solution for low carbon emissions, Tencel is the answer to an eco-strategy in fashion

As part of the ‘digital first’ strategy of the Tencel brand, Tencel invested heavily in proprietary technologies to reduce environmental impact during textile production and developed platforms to support stakeholders’ sustainability momentum. From the introduction of fibre identification technology to fabric certification and licensing services offered via the Lenzing E-Branding Service platform, the Tencel brand has been a driving force towards full-scale supply chain transparency.

The achievements of the Tencel brand thus far can be largely accredited to the ongoing trust, confidence and support of its supply chain partners, without whom, this milestone would not have been possible, Lenzing says. Looking ahead, cross-sector collaboration between mills, fabric makers, brands and non-governmental organizations, will remain a key priority for Tencel and help to further enable supply chain transparency and digitalization of the textile industry, the Austrian company adds.

“With its circularity and solution for low carbon emissions, Tencel is the answer to an eco-strategy in fashion,” said Adriano Goldschmied, Genious Group President and Founder. “I was first introduced to the Tencel brand about 30 years ago, when I was looking to give denim a more feminine and friendly style. I was so impressed by Tencel that I designed a complete collection, which revolutionized the textile and denim industry. In an era where comfort and sustainability are ‘must-haves’, Tencel branded fibres are essential.”

Forging the way to a carbon-zero textiles industry

In addition to driving supply chain transparency, the Tencel brand is also committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. In 2020, the industry’s first carbon-zero Tencel branded fibres were launched, and the carbon zero offering was quickly extended to fibres with Refibra technology in 2021. Anticipating the rising demand from consumer brands for specialty fibres, Lenzing has been strengthening its production capabilities with an ambitious growth plan. Such growth will be fuelled by the opening of the world’s largest lyocell production facility in Thailand in early-2022.

“In 2022, we will continue to focus on producing carbon-zero innovations that make a difference to the textile and fashion industries,” said Florian Heubrandner, Vice President Global Textiles Business at Lenzing. “The next decade will see more sustainability-driven innovations unveiled to actualize our 2050 vision. We are grateful to have worked alongside our partners and colleagues over the last 30 years and we look forward to greater success in the next 30!”

“In celebration of our 30-year milestone, the Tencel brand will be commencing a series of brand, employee, and consumer activations globally to further advocate for change as part of the ‘Feel Good Fibers Since 1992’ campaign,” said Harold Weghorst, Global Vice President of Marketing & Branding at Lenzing. “We would not be able to accomplish these initiatives without the support and goodwill of our partners, to whom we are truly thankful. Moving forward, we will continue to empower brand partners and consumers on their journey to sustainability with our ongoing initiatives, like the #MakeItFeelRight Digital Campaign and Tencel X Partner Campaign.”

From February onwards, Tencel 30th anniversary celebrations themed ‘Feel Good Fibers Since 1992’ will kick-off on Tencel.com and feature exciting content and partner activities across multiple regions and channels.

www.tencel.com