Lenzing Group, a specialty fiber company for the textile and nonwoven industries, has joined forces with Austrian companies and organizations to advance circularity in the textile sector. In collaboration with partners such as ARA, Salesianer Miettex, Caritas, and Södra, Lenzing aims to collect used household and clothing textiles for recycling into new lyocell and viscose fibers.

The pilot project involves Salesianer Miettex collecting textiles unsuitable for reuse, which are then passed on to ARA for delivery to Caritas. Caritas, a recycling plant providing employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities, conducts the sorting process. The textiles are subsequently sent to Södra for recycling and processing into OnceMore pulp, a groundbreaking method for recycling blended fiber textile waste. Lenzing then applies its REFIBRA technology to produce innovative lyocell and viscose fibers.

Lenzing has been working in partnership with Södra since 2021 to promote circularity in the fashion industry. Their collaboration aims to develop methods for scaling up the use of cellulose-based used textiles on an industrial scale. The refined OnceMore pulp will serve as a raw material for Lenzing's specialty fibers, contributing to the company's goal of processing 50,000 tonnes of textile waste annually by 2027.

Lenzing's commitment to a circular economy is evident in its focus on giving waste a new life. Through innovations like REFIBRA and Eco Cycle technologies, the company aims to incorporate a significant portion of recycling material into its production processes, including cutting scraps from cotton production and second-hand clothing.