The Lenzing Group had a clearly positive revenue and earnings development in the first quarter of 2021. Growing optimism in the textile and apparel industry as a result of vaccination progress and continuing recovery in retail led to a significant increase in demand and higher prices in the global fiber market.

The group’s revenue rose by 4.9 percent to €489.3 million in the first quarter of 2021. This was mainly due to a strong increase in demand from China and the resulting higher viscose prices. The focus on wood-based specialty fibers such as Tencel™ and Lenzing Ecovero™ branded fibers had a positive impact on revenue development; the share of specialty fibers in fiber revenue rose from 72.2 percent to 72.6 percent.

The EBITDA margin rose from 14.8 percent to 19.3 percent. Net profit for the period amounted to€29.9 million and earnings per share to €1.06. The group expects its operating results in 2021 to reach pre-COVID levels.