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Lenzing Group and Weyerhaeusercollaborate to develop sustainable nonwovens
Jul 18, 2008
Cooperation on the development of Lyocell-based nonwoven fabrics
FEDERAL WAY, Wash., July 18, 2008 — Lenzing, the world market leader in cellulose staple fibers, and Weyerhaeuser, one of the world's largest forest products companies, will work together on the development of novel lyocell-based nonwoven fabrics. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed on 15 July 2008.
The objective of the collaboration is to develop a technology for the large-scale industrial production of an innovative and sustainable cellulose-based material for industrial and personal care applications. The technology will provide an alternative to petroleum-based materials in nonwoven products with raw materials based on renewable wood fiber.
Collaboration of two technology leaders in renewable fibers
The product is based on lyocell technology in which a solution of cellulose is processed directly and without intermediate process steps into a nonwoven fabric.
Lenzing, the leader in lyocell technology, is the only commercial global supplier of lyocell fibers. The company brings over twenty years of expertise in the development of this environmentally sustainable technology to create cellulose products from the renewable raw material wood. The company has a strong intellectual property portfolio in lyocell technology and the brand name TENCEL® stands for excellence in lyocell fiber production.
Weyerhaeuser is a global forest products company that grows and harvests trees, builds homes and applies technology to cellulose to create innovative, sustainable products essential to everyday living. The company has an extensive intellectual property portfolio in forestry, wood products and cellulose fibers. Its focus on technology and innovation has resulted in the introduction of a number of new cellulose-based products such as Peach® pulp. Weyerhaeuser has invented and patented unique technology to form nonwoven materials. This technology is based on the extrusion of a cellulose solution through a multi-hole nozzle to directly form lyocell nonwoven material.
The new collaboration combines the expertise of these two innovative companies in an ideal manner. Both companies are dedicated to expanding the range of applications for renewable resources and both are committed to the principles of sustainability.
THE LENZING GROUP
The Lenzing Group is an international group of companies with its headquarters in Austria, production sites in all major markets and a global network of sales and marketing offices. Lenzing provides the global textile and nonwovens industry with high-quality cellulose fibers. The company is the leading supplier in many business-to-business markets – from special cellulose fibers to high-tech plastics polymers.
Lenzing quality and Lenzing innovative power set standards for man-made cellulose fibers world-wide. Seventy years of fiber production expertise make us the only producer world-wide of all three man-made cellulose fiber generations, from classic viscose to modal and lyocell. Lenzing's unique combination of consistent customer orientation with leadership in quality, innovation and technology is the foundation of our success.
Our focus on specialty products from cost efficient production is the source of our economic power. Lenzing is committed to the principles of sustainable management and very high environmental standards. Lenzing's core business fibers is complemented by our activities in business fields plastics, as well as engineering.
Key Figures 2007:
Sales: EUR 1.26 bill.
Export share: 86%
Production capacity: 570,000 tons of fibers
Staff: 6,043
WEYERHAEUSER COMPANY
Weyerhaeuser Company, one of the world's largest forest products companies, was incorporated in 1900. In 2007, sales were $16.3 billion. It has offices or operations in 13 countries, with customers worldwide. Weyerhaeuser is principally engaged in the growing and harvesting of timber; the manufacture, distribution and sale of forest products; and real estate construction, development and related activities. Additional information about Weyerhaeuser's businesses, products and practices is available at http://www.weyerhaeuser.com.
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