The report re-confirms Lenzing’s responsible procurement of wood. © Lenzing

The Lenzing Group has once again been rated the number one producer of wood-based fibres in the world out of 31 companies with respect to the responsible procurement of wood, the key raw material in cellulose fibre production. This is the conclusion of the Hot Button Report published recently by the Canadian environmental organisation Canopy.

“We are proud of this top ranking. It underpins our role as a leader in sustainability and gives our customers confidence that we have the right practices in place to prevent the use of wood and pulp from ancient and endangered forests,” said Stefan Doboczky, CEO of Lenzing. “Sustainable wood and pulp sourcing has long been given the highest priority by the Lenzing Group. Forest protection is crucial for Lenzing, not least because of the loss of biodiversity and climate change, which are becoming ever more important issues.”

Responsible sourcing and sustainability are key elements of Lenzing’s corporate strategy. They help preserve global forests and prevent deforestation, which in turn make a substantial contribution to climate protection, the company explains. According to Lenzing, the Hot Button Report proves that there is a low risk for buyers using Lenzing fibres. Lenzing was one of the first wood-based fibre producers to complete and publicly release the results of its CanopyStyle Audit in 2017 confirming this. In 2019, the company will complete its second annual audit.

In 2018, Lenzing adopted additional due diligence measures when sourcing from high-risk countries, a decision positively noted by Canopy. Last summer, the company announced it is investing more than EUR 100 million in sustainable manufacturing technologies and production facilities until 2022. The investment focuses on closed loop production technologies for the expansion of the sulphur recovery systems, as well as on improving the effluent treatment units.

“Lenzing’s innovative Tencel Lyocell fibres with Refibra technology, in which cotton scraps are partly used as a raw material, have been welcomed by the market as a product that takes pressure off the use of wood as a raw material. Refibra technology is the most advanced concept in the wood-based fibre market that clearly incorporates circular economy features on a commercial level,” the company adds.

Canopy also praised Lenzing for using its influence to help advance a conservation legacy in the heart of Canada’s boreal forest. Lenzing communicated its support and encouragement for formal protection of the Broadback Forest to government and First Nation decision makers.

www.lenzing.com