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Lenzing and Weyerhaeuser launch pilot plant for novel TencelWeb™ nonwoven fabrics

10.06.2009

Lenzing and Weyerhaeuser have commissioned a pilot plant in Lenzing, Austria, to explore the commercial potential of TencelWeb™ - a new technology to produce nonwoven fabrics directly from lyocell.

The pilot plant gives the companies the opportunity to test the large-scale production of this cellulose-based nonwoven fabric for use in industrial and personal care products. TencelWeb™ provides an alternative to petroleum-based nonwovens by applying both meltblown and spunbond technology to raw materials made from renewable wood fiber.

“This cooperation combines over twenty years of Lenzing's expertise in the development of lyocell staple fiber and Weyerhaeuser's extensive experience in applying technology to cellulose to create innovative and sustainable products,” says Don Atkinson, VP Market Development and Innovation for the Cellulose Fibers business at Weyerhaeuser.

Robert Smith, New Business and Innovation Director of Lenzing’s Business Unit Nonwovens adds: “Working with key partners in the industry, the next stage of our joint development work will focus on understanding the key process economics and the unique capabilities of TencelWeb™.”

Both companies have a strong intellectual property base in the direct and underpinning technology required to make this novel nonwoven material directly from lyocell.