Lenzing and Södra enable the first fashion collection made from recycled cellulose

• Lenzing and Södra develop circular lyocell fibers
• Recycled OnceMore® cellulose from old textiles containing cellulose
• Launch with Filippa K fall collection

The Lenzing Group, supplier of sustainable specialty fibers, and the Swedish pulp manufacturer Södra have reached the next important milestone in their strategic partnership to promote the circular economy in fashion.

In cooperation with the Portuguese fabric manufacturer Riopele, they have developed textiles from recycled and sustainably produced materials. These are to be launched in the spring/summer collection of fashion brand Filippa K. This is the world's first fashion collection to contain Tencel™ x Refibra™ Lyocell fibers based on recycled OnceMore® pulp.

OnceMore pulp from Lenzing and Södra makes lyocell recyclable

The OnceMore® pulp, which Lenzing and Södra have jointly developed, is the world's first process for the large-scale recycling of old textiles containing cellulose. With the help of Refibra technology, Lenzing uses to produce new lyocell fibers in a closed cycle. These sustainably produced pilot fibers are then processed by Riopele in yarn and fabric production into fashionable fabrics that Filippa K uses in the collection.

According to Robert van de Kerkhof, Chief Commercial Officer, Fiber, Lenzing Group, one company cannot solve the textile waste problem. It is proactive partnerships like this that make it possible to move forward and bring about real system change. Lenzing and Södra are therefore constantly working on making their industries even more sustainable. So the change in the textile business model from linear to circular progress. However, this requires further efforts by the entire industry.

Circular economy in the fashion industry, only possible through partnerships

Jodi Everding, vice president of sustainability at Filippa K, emphasized that collaboration is an essential step in the sustainable transformation of the industry. For Filippa K, it is important to team up with like-minded partners who are innovative in their fields.

Lenzing and Södra therefore aim to be able to process 2025 tons of textile waste per year by 25.000. An expansion of the capacities for pulp production from used textiles is also planned. The processing of larger volumes should be possible. This groundbreaking initiative underscores the need to transform the textile industry's traditional linear business model into a circular one.