#Sustainability

2022-09-22

TENCEL™ Modal fiber with Indigo Color technology won 2022 ITMF Award for Sustainability and Innovation

Lenzing, the world’s leading supplier of sustainably produced specialty fibers, has been recognized in The International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF)’s ITMF Awards 2022 for its unwavering commitment towards paving sustainable practices for the denim industry. Paving a clear path towards a more sustainable denim industry, TENCEL™ Modal fiber with Indigo Color technology was presented with the award for Sustainability and Innovation at the ITMF Annual Conference today in Davos, Switzerland.

The Indigo Color technology features an innovative one-step, spun-dyeing process that delivers superior color fastness relative to conventional indigo dyeing

Significant savings achieved in water, electricity and chemical usage during fiber production process enhances sustainability of finished products

First launched in 2021, TENCEL™ Modal fiber with Indigo Color technology has been established as the foremost fiber solution to address the demand for more eco-responsible fiber alternatives among denim brands and retailers. The new technology incorporates indigo pigment directly into TENCEL™ branded modal fibers using a one-step, spun-dyeing process. Such process delivers superior color fastness relative to conventional indigo dyeing. Compared with traditional rope-dyed indigo yarns, the production of TENCEL™ Modal fiber with Indigo Color technology saves around 99% of water and electricity, 80% of chemicals and even 100% of heat energy, significantly reducing the ecological footprint of denim products.

“At Lenzing, sustainability and innovation are key drivers of our business, and it is truly an honor to be recognized by industry players and the ITMF Awards. Through a blend of eco-responsible materials and pioneering technology, we created a new benchmark for the denim industry with TENCEL™ Modal with Indigo Color technology. We will continue to innovate our fiber offerings to address the rising demand for eco-responsible alternatives. With each fiber innovation, we are one step closer to reducing environmental impact of our textile industry ecosystem,” said Florian Heubrandner, Vice President Global Textiles Business at Lenzing AG.

TENCEL™ Modal with Indigo Color technology fibers offer virtually endless possibilities, from denim to outerwear, active attire and footwear. Without the worry about harmful chemicals, the new fibers can even open up applications for indigo in baby items, such as clothing and sheets.

“While we continue to explore different washes, effects and fiber blends, we are open for innovation and what can be done. Beyond the denim market there are already commercial programs in knitwear. With so many great minds and new ideas out in the market, this is an excellent opportunity to experiment with something new and lower the environmental footprint,” said Tricia Carey, Director of Global Business Development Denim and Americas, Lenzing AG.

To date, TENCEL™ Modal with Indigo technology has been designated BioPreferred® by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and was certified with the EU Ecolabel.

Lenzing reports improved half-year results and advances strategic transformation

Despite a persistently challenging market environment in the first half of 2026, characterized by volatile energy and raw material prices, subdued global consumer demand and intensified competition from Asia, the Lenzing Group significantly improved its financial performance. Net result after tax more than doubled to EUR 35.6 million, compared with EUR 15.2 million in the first half of 2025. Free cash flow increased to EUR 45.8 million, while EBITDA amounted to EUR 239.2 million. Revenue totaled EUR 1.27 billion, compared with EUR 1.34 billion in the previous year.

180 years of TESTEX: From Zurich silk testing to global certification

For 180 years, TESTEX has developed alongside the textile industry while maintaining the same underlying purpose: creating trust through independent and reliable measurement. Founded in Zurich in 1846 as the Zurich Silk Conditioning Institute, TESTEX has grown from a local institution serving the silk trade into an international Swiss testing and certification institute for textiles and leather.

Cascale launches member-led process to shape 2030 strategy

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Jeanologia Sustainability Report highlights environmental impact of textile technologies

Jeanologia has published its Sustainability Report 2025, reporting a 13.64% reduction in its own carbon footprint and quantifying the environmental impact associated with the use of its technologies across the global textile industry. According to the company’s calculations, their use avoided the pollution of 21.52 million m³ of water and emissions of approximately 103,530 tonnes of CO₂ compared with conventional textile finishing processes.

Global Standards announce launch of a new textile processing standard

The 14th September 2026 marks the public launch of the Global Responsible Textile Standard (GRTS), a new standard for the processing of textiles made from fibres certified to third-party standards recognised by GRTS and covering a broad range of plant, animal, synthetic, man-made cellulosic and recycled fibres.

Moving Advanced Recycling from Innovation to Implementation

The Advanced Recycling Conference 2026 explores technologies, markets, financing and scale-up of innovative recycling solutions for waste streams including mixed plastic waste, textiles and PVC. Europe’s chemical and materials sector faces growing pressure to close carbon loops, strengthen raw-material safety and resilience and meet increasingly ambitious EU recycling targets. Against this backdrop, the Advanced Recycling Conference (ARC) will bring together industry leaders, technology providers, researchers, innovators and policy-makers on 17–18 November 2026 in Cologne, Germany.

German textile industry and retailers form alliance to shape textile EPR system

Germany’s textile and fashion industry and retail sector have joined forces to establish the “Alliance for Textile Circularity” (Allianz für textile Kreisläufe). Initiated by the German Textile and Fashion Industry Association (Gesamtverband textil+mode) and the German Retail Federation (HDE), the alliance aims to contribute industry expertise to the development of Germany’s future Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system for textiles and footwear.

PERFORMANCE DAYS introduces Digital Design Journey with CLO and VIZOO

PERFORMANCE DAYS will introduce a new Digital Design Journey at its upcoming edition in Munich, connecting physical fabric sourcing with 3D product development. Supported by CLO and VIZOO, the installation will demonstrate how real performance fabrics can be digitized and incorporated into virtual garment development workflows.