EcoVero labeled viscose fibers have achieved the next milestone in Lenzing’s sustainability journey by offering eco-friendly viscose with the lowest environmental impact in the industry, setting a new industry-wide benchmark in the sustainability of viscose fibers.
The environmental awareness of consumers has been growing steadily over the last decade, more recently in the fashion and textile industries. Textile consumption is expected to double by 2025, and the industries are anxiously looking for more sustainable solutions with minimal eco-footprint. Achieving low environmental impact requires developing eco-friendly raw materials and a sustainable manufacturing process.
Lenzing addresses this unmet market need for more sustainable viscose by launching EcoVero fibers that set a new industry standard in sustainable viscose based on three pillars: the use of sustainable wood sources (FSC or PEFC certified), an ecological production process (significantly lower emissions and water impact than conventional viscose), and full supply chain transparency by identifying EcoVero fibers in the final product.
EcoVero fibers are made from wood, a natural and renewable raw material. The wood comes from sustainable forestry plantations that are certified by industry-leading associations such as FSC. Lenzing has a comprehensive wood sourcing policy that goes above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that the most sustainable wood sources are used for viscose production.
Lenzing enforces strict environmental standards during viscose production, and has invested millions of euro over the years to achieve an eco-friendly production process. For example, Lenzing’s viscose production sites where EcoVero fibers are produced comply with the stringent guidelines of the EU Eco Label, a world-leading environmental manufacturing standard.
The EU Eco Label is a sign of environmental excellence, and is awarded to products and services meeting high environmental standards throughout their lifecycles: from raw material extraction to production, distribution and disposal. In addition, the flagship viscose production in Austria uses a significant amount of renewable bio-energy in the manufacturing process.
With EcoVero fibers, Lenzing launches one of the most environment-friendly viscose fibers. A special manufacturing system enables the company to identify EcoVero fibers in the final product, long after the textile processing and conversion steps. Thus, retailers and brands are fully assured that they are indeed incorporating the eco-friendly viscose, and not a generic market viscose.
Robert van de Kerkhof, Chief Commercial Officer at Lenzing, explains, “With this special identification technology for EcoVero fibers, we are supporting the trend in the fashion industry towards greater transparency. It is becoming increasingly important to know where the products come from and which path they have covered.”
EcoVero fibers, Lenzing’s next milestone in its sustainability journey, offer an extensive marketing service package, and are part of Lenzing’s Branding & Licensing Program. Fabrics containing EcoVero fibers can be certified at its in-house certification centers in Europe and Asia.
The new EcoVero fibers will be launched at the global textile trade shows from autumn on. The sampling phase has started, and special customers are developing products using EcoVero fibers.