#Yarn & Fiber

2020-05-20

Federal Chancellor Kurz visits production plant of Hygiene Austria

F.l.t.r.: Christine Aschbacher, Matvei Hutman (Background), Sebastian Kurz, Tino Wieser (c) 2020 Lenzing / Hygiene Austria LP GmbH

The company “Hygiene Austria LP GmbH”, recently founded by the two tradition-steeped companies Lenzing AG and Palmers Textil AG, has once again called attention to itself. Following the successful launch of the production of mouth-nose protective masks in Austria, Hygiene Austria commenced manufacturing FFP2 masks and mouth-nose protective masks for children.

For the first time, Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz personally took a closer look at production operations within the context of a visit to the facility this Tuesday morning. The Austrian Chancellor visited the successful Austrian company Hygiene Austria together with Federal Minister of Labor, Family and Youth Christine Aschbacher.

Christine Aschbacher, Sebastian Kurz (c) 2020 Lenzing / Hygiene Austria LP GmbH

“I am extremely pleased that, since the founding of Hygiene Austria, we can now ensure the supply of mouth-nose protective masks, not only for adults but also for children . This is a further and important contribution towards curbing the COVID-19-pandemic and to the safety of all people in Austria”, said Chancellor Sebastian Kurz. “The coronavirus has shown us how important it is to have companies in Austria and Europe which are capable of producing protective equipment. We will have to have a discussion on a European level about how we will manage to become self-sufficient in key industries in the medical and pharmaceutical sectors”, Kurz adds.

The company Hygiene Austria

The experienced companies Lenzing AG and Palmers Textil AG joined forces to establish Hygiene Austria LP GmbH, in which Lenzing AG holds a 50.1% stake and Palmers Textil AG 49.9%. Over the past few weeks, Lenzing AG and Palmers Textil AG have invested several million euros in a modern production infrastructure at the Wiener Neudorf location and secured the corresponding raw materials for mouth-nose protective masks and FFP2 masks.

“Due to the great demand for mouth-nose protective masks, we just expanded the product portfolio to encompass colorful masks for children”, Stefan Doboczky, CEO of Lenzing AG, announced during the tour of the manufacturing plant. These masks are particularly important for children in the light of their current return to school.

Christine Aschbacher, Minister of Labor, Family and Youth, welcomed this news and the general entrepreneurial spirit while visiting the production facility. “The fact that a company creates 100 new jobs in the middle of the crisis is a special achievement, for which I would like to sincerely thank the companies Lenzing AG and Palmers Textil AG”, Ms. Aschbacher stated.

“We are getting numerous inquiries from companies all over the world which either want to cooperate with us or be supplied by us. This positive feedback confirms our intention to further expand our line of hygienic products in the future together with Lenzing AG based on innovative ideas”, Tino Wieser, Member of the Board of Palmers Textil AG, confidently explained.

F.l.t.r.: Luca Wieser, Christine Aschbacher, Matvei Hutman, Sebastian Kurz, Stefan Doboczky (c) 2020 Lenzing / Hygiene Austria LP GmbH

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.

Expansive innovations converge in Shanghai as Yarn Expo Autumn 2026 opens doors next week

With just days to go, industry enthusiasm is building for the opening of Yarn Expo Autumn, Asia’s premier yarn and fibre trade fair, running from 25 – 27 August at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). Across 27,000 sqm in Hall 8.2, buyers will find nearly 600 exhibitors from 14 countries and regions, spread across seven specialised zones that range from cutting-edge man-made and regenerated fibres to time-honoured cashmere and silk. Beyond the extensive sourcing options, a fringe programme of trend showcases, presentations and product launches rounds out the three¬day event with design, innovation and market intelligence.

Dornbirn GFC 2026 expands conference program with new thematic sessions

For 65 years, Dornbirn GFC has stood for innovation and is one of the world’s leading conferences in the fiber industry. From September 16 to 18, 2026, the international fiber community will meet in Dornbirn, Austria, to discuss current trends, technological developments, and forward-looking solutions. More than 600 experts from industry and academia from over 30 countries are expected to attend. With around 100 presentations by renowned speakers, a 2,5-day conference program, and three parallel presentation rooms with moderated sessions, Dornbirn GFC provides a first-class platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and international collaboration. Together, participants will generate ideas and impulses that will sustainably shape the future of the global fiber industry.

Cotton Brazil Dialogues 2026 concludes with 50 international participants immersed in Brazilian cotton production

The Cotton Brazil Dialogues concludes its 2026 edition after a series of technical visits to farms, cotton gins and reference centers, as well as workshops focused on Brazilian cotton production. A total of 50 participants from 14 countries took part in the field trips. The initiative is led by the Brazilian Association of Cotton Growers (Abrapa) and the National Association of Cotton Exporters (Anea), with support from the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil).

Novel flame-retardant and recyclable fiber-reinforced composite

Airplanes and passenger trains must meet strict safety requirements, including fire safety standards. This calls for materials that are flame-retardant, lightweight, robust, and scalable. Empa researchers, in collaboration with their industry partner Elantas, have now succeeded for the first time in making such a material – a composite – fully recyclable.

WHILL selects Teijin’s tough, lightweight Carbon Fiber Composite for new last-mile mobility

Teijin Limited announced today that WHILL Inc., a global leader in inclusive mobility technology, has selected Sereebo® P CFP series, a carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastic (CFRTP) material, for key structural components of the upcoming WHILL Model C Lite. Sereebo® P CFP series provides high strength, light weight, design flexibility and system cost advantages to the Model C Lite, which is a battery powered, single-seat, last-mile device. This new model combines maneuverability with light weight and one-handed folding to ensure ease of handling and operation.