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TENCEL®Biosoft – A new age for botanic fibers

Dornbirn-MFC Austria, September 2012 – Lenzing introduces TENCEL®Biosoft, the first hydrophobic and home-compostable fiber leading to unique benefits for wipes and hygiene applications.

In the wake of the Deepwater Horizon oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico in April 2010, researchers were looking for new materials for oil clean up. At that time, Lenzing started first trials for producing a new TENCEL® fiber which could be used for oil absorbency while retaining its biodegradability.

Bianca Schachtner, Project Manager New Products Business Unit Nonwoves, summarizes: “During our extensive research work, we realized that the actual benefits of the developed fiber went far beyond the original objective. In addition to having developed the first hydrophobic and sustainable TENCEL® product, the new fiber turned out to be extra soft, smooth and functional making it an ideal base for sensitive nonwovens applications.”

In wipes, TENCEL®Biosoft can be used in a variety of blends which tailor the absorbency and cleaning performance to suit a number of different functions from full oil absorbency through to specific lotion management. In topsheets of hygiene products, excellent liquid strike through times and wet back properties ensure a comfortable dry feeling to the skin. TENCEL®Biosoft meets the performance of commercially available synthetic products and adds a botanic value as Lenzing’s cellulose fibers are made from the renewable raw material wood sourced from responsibly managed forests. Based on natural resources, TENCEL® and TENCEL®Biosoft are biodegradable and meet even the enhanced standards of Vincotte Home compostability.

TENCEL®Biosoft will be presented at this year’s man-made fiber congress in Dornbirn on 20th September 2012. “As a leader in fiber innovation, we at Lenzing are constantly developing new fiber types paving the way for new end uses for our sustainable fibers. TENCEL®Biosoft revolutionizes nonwoven products along the supply chain,” says Wolfgang Plasser, Vice President and General Manager Business Unit Nonwovens. “Lenzing is delighted to launch TENCEL®Biosoft in Dornbirn. The botanic fiber makes the difference from the very beginning!”

Business Unit Nonwoven Fibers is part of the Lenzing Group
The Lenzing Group
The Lenzing Group is a world market leader with headquarters in Austria, production sites in all major markets as well as a worldwide network of sales and marketing offices. Lenzing supplies the global textile and nonwovens industry with high-quality man-made cellulose fibers and is the leading supplier in many business-to-business markets. The portfolio ranges from dissolving pulp, standard and specialty cellulose fibers to high-quality plastic polymer products and engineering services.

Lenzing quality and innovative strength set global standards for man-made cellulose fibers. With more than 70 years of experience in fiber production, the Lenzing Group is the only company worldwide combining the manufacturing of all three man-made cellulose fiber generations on a large industrial scale under one roof – from the classic viscose to modal and lyocell (TENCEL®) fibers. The success of the Lenzing Group is based on a unique combination of consistent customer orientation together with its leadership in innovation, technology and quality. Our successful specialization strategy and an outstanding cost position are the basis for our economic strength.

Lenzing is committed to the principle of sustainable management and very high environmental standards.

Lenzing’s core business fibers is complemented by our activities in the business fields plastics and engineering.