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case study
Lenzing and Delta Galil take another remarkable step forward for sustainable textiles and circular economy with REFIBRA™ technology.
To date, the success of Lenzing’s REFIBRA™ technology has been made possible because of a close partnership with DELTA GALIL, a vertical manufacturer, whose similar commitment to circular economy fueled the R&D and engineering innovations necessary to enable the recycled content of raw material for Lenzing Fibers with REFIBRA™ technology.
TENCEL™ branded Lyocell fibers with REFIBRA™ technology are one of most sustainable cellulosic fibers available today. The raw material wood pulp comes from renewable wood sources combined with pulp made from upcycled cotton scraps. The resulting pulp is then manufactured into TENCEL™ x REFIBRA™ fibers in Lenzing’s award-winning, closed loop production facility. To top it all off, TENCEL™ x REFIBRA™ is compostable and biodegradable in soil and water, key attributes that make possible its contributions to circular economy.
“DELTA GALIL is a pioneer in textile circular economy and truly inspired us to take bold steps with our new REFIBRA™ technology,” says Andreas Dorner, Commercial Director for Europe and Americas of the Lenzing Group. “DELTA partnered with us to transform their cotton scraps—that would otherwise be disposed— together with the renewable raw material wood into first-quality, virgin fibers. Everything about our collaboration was unique, from the sharing of data to the forward-thinking teamwork necessary to develop the new process and product.”
More consumers looking for sustainable alternatives
As climate change concerns increase, more and more fashion labels are focusing on environmental protection and sustainability. DELTA anticipated this trend and, as a leading supplier of intimates and activewear to the US (and global) apparel industry, will have a substantial impact on the circular economy of that market.
“We have been innovating in circular economy for many years,” says Monder Mwais, Senior Director of Fabric Development and Innovation at DELTA. “We take seriously our role in improving textile sustainability and try to lead by example. Pushing the circular economy envelope required us to approach our business differently. That’s where our collaboration with Lenzing was so valuable. With the combined intellectual and technical assets of both companies, we were able to go farther than either of us could ever go alone.”
In addition a special manufacturing system enables TENCEL™ branded lyocell fibers with REFIBRA™ technology to be identified in the final products, even after long textile processing and conversion steps through the value chain. Lenzing has developed a new identification system to reassure customers that retailers and brands are incorporating genuine TENCEL™ fibers produced with REFIBRA™ technology into their products. This supports transparency and quality assurance in today’s complex global supply chain.
A new sustainable business model
Collaboration and information sharing are key components of sustainability innovation. Lenzing works closely with both vendors on one side and customers on the other to facilitate process changes or product developments that contribute to higher sustainability and circular economy. Through co-branding programs with retailers / brands we are able to convey the value of TENCEL™ x REFIBRA™.
“We value the relationships we have with our business partners and thrive on discovering new ways of doing things that might be more efficient or sustainable for each of us,” concludes Dorner. “When we can achieve something as significant as implementing the cotton scraps used in our REFIBRA™ technology, we celebrate but realize that there is still much more to be done to attain circular economy in the textile and apparel industry.”
