#Yarn & Fiber

2023-09-14

Coats & Lenzing join forces to create footwear industry’s first synthetic-free engineered uppers and fabrics made of ProWeave™ technology and TENCEL™ Lyocell Filament

Coats Footwear today announced an exciting collaboration with the Lenzing Group – a leading global producer of cellulose-based specialty fibers for the textiles industry. Combining Coats Footwear’s innovative ProWeave™ technology with Lenzing’s innovative TENCEL™ Lyocell Filament, the two companies have created dynamic re-imagined footwear uppers and fabrics, which combine sustainability and performance characteristics, and will be unveiled at Lineapelle.

Result of new collaboration will be unveiled at Lineapelle

In an industry first, the two companies have partnered in weaving TENCEL™ Lyocell Filament using ProWeave™ – a unique patented jacquard weaving technology which can be used with a range of different fibers and yarns. The reimagined footwear uppers and fabrics will be used in the prototype of Circle Sportswear’s “SuperNatural Runner” - the first synthetic-free performance footwear to use TENCEL™ Lyocell Filament blended with wool using ProWeave™ technology and other bio-based materials.

This innovative method and combination of technologies enables the production of stylish, sustainable, super comfortable uppers and fabrics, which have an adaptive fit that functions like a second skin. This ground-breaking collaboration will be of interest to all footwear brands that want to improve supply chain traceability, bio-sustainability, and lower the carbon footprint associated with producing high-quality uppers and fabrics for a variety of applications.

Paul Jackson, ProWeave™ Business Unit Leader at Coats Footwear, said: “This is an incredibly exciting alliance for Coats Footwear, the Lenzing Group, and the wider industry. From day one, it was clear this was a natural partnership. Both companies have combined objectives when it comes to sustainability. Independently we are committed to helping companies lower the environmental impact of textile and footwear production processes by providing best-in-class materials and manufacturing technologies. Together, we’re revolutionizing the way uppers and materials can be made – giving footwear brands and manufacturers the chance to build high-level sustainable products in the most innovative way possible, with zero constraints on creativity.”

Nicole Schram, Global Business Development Manager, Apparel (Footwear) at Lenzing Group, said: “The footwear segment has always been innovative and offers endless possibilities for the development of technical applications of the TENCEL™ brand. We are truly excited to partner with Coats Footwear to create exciting footwear uppers and fabrics that have botanic origins at heart. By combining the unique features of TENCEL™ Lyocell staple fibers and filament and ProWeave™ technology, we believe the sky is the limit for the innovation of next-generation, planet-friendly footwear. We will continue to work closely with Coats Footwear and other industry partners to innovate materials for a dynamic footwear industry environment.”

Lenzing is the first of many raw material suppliers to collaborate with Coats on ProWeave™. Derived from renewable raw material wood sourced from controlled and certified forests, TENCEL™ Lyocell Filament is manufactured using resource-efficient production processes that recycle process water and reuse the solvent at a recovery rate of more than 99%. Certified by The Vegan Society, TENCEL™ Lyocell Filament is known for its silky softness, color vibrancy, and strength.

ProWeave™ is a unique jacquard weaving technology that seamlessly integrates multi-functionality and design freedom weaving in an exclusive engineered upper or fabric. Effortlessly blending diverse yarn thicknesses, weights, and fabric references together, ProWeave™ is used to create intricately designed fabrics with distinctive gradient, rib, waffle, colour, stretch, transparency, and 3D effects.

In addition to TENCEL™ Lyocell Filament, Coats Footwear is also working closely with Lenzing to explore the adoption of TENCEL™ branded lyocell and modal fibers in footwear uppers and fabrics.

Discover more about the ProWeave™ and TENCEL™ collaboration at Lineapelle at Booth (H02 in Hall 9). Lineapelle takes place in Milan from 19th to 21st September 2023.

Alternatively, email: communications.footwear@coats.com.

Lenzing invests EUR 15 mn to strengthen position in the hygiene market

The Lenzing AG is investing approximately EUR 15 mn to expand its production capacity for premium viscose fibers at its site in Lenzing, Austria. This strategic investment is part of the recently announced investment program of EUR 100 mn in total to secure the long-term competitiveness of Lenzing’s Austrian production sites. The capacity expansion reinforces the company’s commitment to providing sustainable solutions to the global hygiene market. It also strengthens the company's role as a trusted provider of high-quality fibers for feminine care applications.

Lenzing AG: Stable revenue and improved EBITDA despite market headwinds

In the first nine months of 2025, Lenzing AG recorded revenue growth and higher EBITDA, but a market-driven volatile third quarter. This performance reflects the effects of ongoing market volatility, tariffs and geopolitical uncertainties. Nevertheless, the medium to long-term outlook remains positive.

Lenzing confirmed as global leader in Canopy sustainability ranking

Lenzing AG has once again taken first place in this year's Hot Button Report published by the Canadian non-profit organization Canopy. With 34.5 out of 40 points and no known risk of sourcing from ancient and endangered forests, Lenzing remains one of the most sustainable companies in regenerated cellulose fiber production – setting a benchmark for responsible business practices in the textile and nonwovens industries.

Lenzing AG refines strategy and strengthens competitiveness for a challenging environment

Lenzing AG, a leading provider of regenerated cellulosic fibers, refined its strategy to strengthen its global positioning and competitiveness. With this step, the company responds to the ongoing challenges in the global textile and nonwovens markets as well as geopolitical changes. Cornerstones of the refined strategy include focusing on high-performance fibers, enhancing operational efficiency and asset footprint optimization, which should further unlock the company’s full value creation potential.

Rieter adjusts group structure in preparation for Barmag integration

The planned acquisition of the “Barmag” Division of OC Oerlikon will create the leading system provider worldwide for natural and man-made fibers. Rieter is confident it will receive all regulatory approvals to complete the acquisition in the fourth quarter of 2025. The Rieter Group is therefore adjusting its Group structure as of January 1, 2026, to take this acquisition into account and to be able to provide an even more agile response to market challenges.

From premiums to parity: How Fashion for Good is rewriting the economics of new materials

Fashion for Good launches Price Parity Toolkit: developed with support from Laudes Foundation, Canopy and Finance Earth, the framework introduces an innovative financing approach (premium decoupling) to remove price premiums from the supply chain and unlock faster adoption of lower-impact materials across the industry.

Techtextil India 2025 commences: Ushering in a new era for functional textiles

Techtextil India 2025, a premier trade fair for technical textiles, non-wovens and composites, organised by Messe Frankfurt Trade Fairs India, has opened today at Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai, marking its 10th edition. Running from 19 – 21 November 2025, this landmark edition connects 215 exhibitors, including 100 first-time exhibitors to the textile value chain, featuring innovations across 12 application-based textile segments.

Solution for lower energy consumption proves itself in practice

Getzner Textil is one of KARL MAYER’s first customers to use PROSIZE with CASCADE. The innovative weaving specialist has tested the steam and condensation system by KARL MAYER and determined the energy savings it achieves. Karl-Heinz Vaaßen, Head of Textile Drying at KARL MAYER, assisted Getzner Textil’s production specialists both with the tests and with all questions relating to CASCADE. In a conversation with Werner Egger, Head of Weaving, and Thomas Rossi, Head of Warp Preparation at Getzner Textil, he learnt more about the system’s benefits for his customer.