Lenzing and Devold of Norway, a leading outdoor clothing manufacturer, have been working together for almost three decades, both dedicated to making clothes that last without harming the planet.

The collaboration between the two resulted in Devold receiving the ISPO award last year for their ‘Standal Merino Tee Zip-Neck,’ an outdoor shirt made from a blend of merino and TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers. The ISPO prize recognizes innovative sports products and services, marking a significant milestone for both Lenzing and Devold in their shared mission to drive change by bringing natural fibers into the textile and fashion industry.

Devold combines its expert knowledge in wool with Lenzing’s specialty in responsibly sourced materials to incorporate TENCEL™ fibers, derived from controlled or certified wood sources [1], into its offerings. The result is a conscious effort to reduce the outdoor textile industry’s impact on the planet while delivering exceptional comfort and performance.

“We belong in the mountains and on trails, but let's face it — a majority of outdoor gear is made with plastic. We're here to change that, to leave lighter footprints, and to demonstrate that natural fibers can outshine synthetic ones,” said Christine Haraldstad-Sindum, designer at Devold.

Certified by TÜV AUSTRIA, Lenzing’s TENCEL™ branded fibers are not only biodegradable in soil, freshwater, and marine environments, but also compostable under home and industrial conditions. The production process is also constantly refined to maximize resource efficiency [2]. Additionally, the fibers are made with at least 50% less carbon emissions and water consumption [3].

On top of their environmental benefits, TENCEL™ fibers are celebrated for comfort, moisture control, and breathability, complementing Devold's merino wool seamlessly. This combination offers benefits such as temperature regulation, odour control, and the ability to retain warmth, even when wet.

“The blend of merino wool and TENCEL™ Lyocell is a great match – the two ingredients bring out the best in one another. TENCEL™ Lyocell fibres are naturally soft and smooth to the touch and support rich colours in fabrics,” said Andreas Wilhelm Gürtler, Senior Manager, Global Business Development, Lenzing.

United in their commitment to delivering functional and durable clothing, Lenzing and Devold firmly believe in the potential of natural fibers to reduce the sports textile industry's dependence on synthetic materials. Through this partnership, both companies have proved that outdoor wear can offer exceptional comfort and performance without compromising care for the planet.

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[1] FSC® (FSC-C041246) or PEFC (PEFC/06-33-92) certification.

[2] TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers are produced in a closed loop process which recovers 99.8% of the solvent – resulting in close-to-zero wastage. Compared to generic (unbranded) lyocell. Results based on LCA standards (ISO 14040/44) and available via Higg MSI (Version 3.7).

[3]Compared to generic (unbranded) lyocell. The results were calculated according to LCA standards (ISO 14040/44) and are made available via the Higg Materials Sustainability Index (MSI) by the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (Version 3.7).