TENCEL® in the fast lane
The cellulose fiber, TENCEL®, has the potential to redefine the car. At Techtextil in Frankfurt
from May 24-26, 2011, Lenzing Textil will present new applications for the automobile sector.
The automobile market is undergoing radical change. Voices advocating eco-friendly models through
to vehicle recycling are growing in volume. In this respect sustainable raw materials play a very
important role. High demands are placed on these materials both in ecological and in economic
terms. Plus, components made from these new materials must satisfy the same performance
requirements as traditional components made from crude oil-based raw materials since the safety
aspect can never be ignored.
“TENCEL® supports the trend towards more nature in cars and, with its fiber properties, boasts
numerous advantages for the automobile sector,” explains Friedrich Suchomel, Automotive Project
Manager. “We started the project five years ago after speaking to all the international car
manufacturers to understand their requirements. Sustainability was one of their most important
criteria. TENCEL® provides a response to these needs,” Friedrich Suchomel continues. TENCEL® is
made from wood, a natural replenishable raw material. The wood stems from eucalyptus plantations
which are planted especially for industrial use. Eucalyptus grows very quickly and is farmed without
any artificial irrigation. It can also be planted on idle land and does not, therefore, compete with
agricultural land for the production of foodstuffs. TENCEL® is an ideal fiber for the automotive sector
not only because it is a natural raw material, but also because the fiber manufacturing process is
eco-friendly. Production is based on a physical dissolution process with almost complete solvent
recovery.
