From the Sector

Built on an island right off the Finnish capital Helsinki, the Nolla cabin represents an ecological alternative to cabin life.

This summer, living with minimal emissions will be put to the test. Neste is building a prototype of a cabin that has a minimal environmental impact in terms of both carbon dioxide emissions and concrete impact on nature. The Nolla (= zero) cabin, designed by Finnish designer Robin Falck, is located just outside Helsinki city center, on the Vallisaari island. The cabin has been built from sustainable materials and is designed for a simple lifestyle with minimal to no emissions, taking into account the surrounding nature in every respect.

Located on the idyllic island of Vallisaari in the Helsinki archipelago, the Nolla cabin encourages people to consider how modern solutions and innovations could enable sustainable cabin living. Vallisaari has been in a natural state for decades and is thus the perfect location for an urban cabin experience, located at a 20-minute boat ride away from the Helsinki market square. The ecological and mobile Nolla cabin will be in Vallisaari until the end of September, demonstrating a lifestyle that generates minimal to no emissions.

Placing the compact and mobile cabin on its private lot does not require a construction permit
and it has been designed to use building materials as effectively as possible. The cabin is the size of a small bedroom and can be assembled and transported without heavy machinery, leaving its environment nearly untouched. The Nolla cabin has been designed by Finnish designer Robin Falck, whose earlier design, Nido cabin, has been globally acknowledged.

The Nolla cabin introduces solutions, which enable minimizing cabin life emissions remarkably. The energy supply of the cabin is entirely renewable; electricity is generated by solar panels, whilst the Wallas stove, reserved for cooking and heating, runs entirely on Neste MY Renewable Diesel, made 100% from waste and residue. The Aava Lines raft operating between Helsinki city centre and Vallisaari will also run on Neste MY Renewable diesel that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90%.

“With the Nolla cabin, we want to offer visitors the possibility to experience modern cabin life in the realm of nature, with minimal emissions. An ecological lifestyle does not only require giving up unsustainable commodities, but also discovering modern, sustainable solutions that can be used instead. This has been an essential part of the design process”, says Falck.

“Finns are known for spending time at their beloved summer houses. We wanted to explore sustainable solutions that could enable cabin life with minimal emissions. Shared and circular economy, as well as new technologies and innovations have made it possible to enjoy our cabins without harming or burdening the environment. Some of the solutions that have been used at the Nolla cabin are perfectly adaptable at any cabin”, says Sirpa Tuomi, Marketing Director at Neste.

The Nolla cabin is executed in collaboration with Fortum, Wallas and Stockmann and is part of the Journey to Zero project by Neste, which explores new ideas and aims to steer the world towards a cleaner future with fewer emissions.

• Mitarbeiter entsprechend informieren

In den Medien, bei den Endverbrauchern und zum Teil sogar bei den eigenen Mitarbeitern kursieren weit überhöhte Vorstellungen darüber, wie viel der Modefachhandel am Verkauf eines Kleidungsstücks verdient. Dies liegt nicht zuletzt daran, dass in den Medien immer wieder über problematische Produktionsbedingungen in Asien berichtet wird, wonach die Herstellung von Hemden oder T-Shirts nur wenige Cent kostet. Motto: „Wenn die Einkaufspreise so niedrig sind, muss der Gewinn des Handels ja gigantisch sein.“

Dazu mag sicher auch beitragen, dass zum Saisonende mit hohen Rabatten gearbeitet wird. So entsteht bei vielen Kunden und den Medien der Eindruck, der Modehandel würde mit der üblichen Kalkulation horrende Renditen erzielen.

Tatsächlich verbleibt zumindest dem mittelständischen Modefachhandel in der Regel nach Abzug aller Kosten nur ein vergleichsweise bescheidener Gewinn. Basierend auf den Ergebnissen des BTE-Jahresbetriebsvergleichs von 2016 hat der BTE am Beispiel eines T-Shirts verdeutlicht, dass einem Verkaufspreis von 29 Euro im Durchschnitt anteilige Kosten eines Händlers in Höhe von 27,98 Euro gegenüberstehen.

Allein 12,23 Euro fallen als Einkaufspreis für das Shirt an, weitere 4,64 Euro müssen als Mehrwertsteuer an das Finanzamt abgeführt werden. Zu diesen warenbezogenen Kosten in Höhe von insgesamt 16,87 Euro kommen noch anteilige Personalkosten (6,06 Euro), Miete inkl. Nebenkosten (2,32 Euro), Kosten für Werbung (0,78 Euro), für Zinsen und Abschreibungen (0,64 Euro) und sonstige Kosten (1,31 Euro) hinzu. Dem Modefachhandel bleibt damit beim Verkauf eines Bekleidungsstücks zum Preis von 29 Euro im Durchschnitt lediglich ein Gewinn in Höhe von 1,02 Euro. Hiervon sind dann z.B. noch Ertragssteuern an das Finanzamt zu entrichten.

Wichtig: Diese Kenntnis über die Ertragssituation im mittelständischen Modefachhandel fehlt auch bei (zu) vielen (Verkaufs-)Mitarbeitern. Dadurch kann bei diesen schnell der Eindruck entstehen, sie arbeiteten für vergleichsweise wenig Geld, während sich Inhaber bzw. Geschäftsführung üppige Gewinne auszahlen. Für die Motivation ist diese Fehleinschätzung sicherlich nicht förderlich.

Der BTE empfiehlt deshalb, die Mitarbeiter mindestens einmal jährlich über die tatsächliche betriebswirtschaftliche Situation im eigenen Geschäft oder zumindest in der Branche aufzuklären. Vor allem die Kostensituation dürften viele vollkommen falsch einschätzen. Wer seine eigenen Zahlen nicht preisgeben möchte, kann dazu z.B. die Daten des BTE-Betriebsvergleichs verwenden.

Hinweis: Die der Grafik zugrunde liegenden Ergebnisse des BTE-Jahresbetriebsvergleichs für das Jahr 2016 sind – neben anderen statistischen und fachlichen Brancheninformationen – im BTE-Taschenbuch 2018 veröffentlicht. Dies ist zum Preis 22 Euro plus MwSt. und Versandkosten zu beziehen beim ITE-Verlag, Postfach 101865, 50458 Köln, Fax 0221/92150910, E-Mail: itebestellungen@bte.de oder im BTE-Webshop unter www.shop.bte.de.

The Perlon Group is making great strides on its journey towards the future and is therefore vigorously implementing the measures required to achieve its aim. This aim (known internally as ‘strategy 2020’) provides for the next level of globalisation and the sustainable growth of the market leader in the production of synthetic filaments. Through the extensive relocation of existing; and the generation of additional production capacity, the requirements have been accomplished and will thus directly serve increasing demand in the main volume markets. Part of this strategy, is the integration of one of the four German sites into the remaining three, this will then strengthen those sites and support the expansion of the factories in the USA and China.

The key to this success is a highly qualified and motivated personnel, engaged and focussed project staff and lastly but by no means least, loyal customers all of whom welcome this future direction and support us, their longstanding business partner. Important milestones are being reached with minimum disruption to the daily business in spite of a continuingly healthy order book

Important Milestones have so far been

• Implementing the newly built finished goods warehouse and a production line for PMC-Monofil at Hahl Inc, the production site in Lexington, SC
• Completing the building of the production hall with integrated admin building and starting to fit out the interior of the new production site in Haining, China. This is on schedule for the fixed opening date of 29 November 2018.
• Implementing an additional production line for PMC-Monofil into the Munderkingen site in Germany. Furthermore the planning for the transfer of an additional production line has also been finalised.
• Completion of the plant layout in the Industrial park in Bobingen (Germany) to allow for the transfer of several production lines from their current homes in Dormagen and Recytec in Munderkingen (Perlon’s recycling business).

With the help of a tailwind from the targets achieved thus far, Florian Kisling (Perlon CEO) and his team are looking forward with optimism to the additional transformation and the finalisation of this mammoth ground breaking project. They are already thinking ahead to the subsequent project ‘2020+’.

Bally, the historic Swiss luxury brand is pleased to announce the appointment of two key figures to its executive team, completing the process of strategic redevelopment begun last year with the transfer of the Creative, Merchandising and Marketing offices from London to its new showroom in Milan.

Effective immediately, Eva Quirrenbach joins Bally as Chief Marketing Officer following a term in New York as Vice President of Global Brand Marketing at Tory Burch, having previously occupied strategic roles within the Tod’s Group in both Italy and the United States. Eva is a recognised expert in all aspects of international branding and marketing within the luxury sector, and with her proven understanding of consumer behaviour, she played an integral role in the development and acceleration of the digital footprint and in supporting global brand development at Tory Burch.

“Eva is an excellent addition to the Bally team. The combination of a consolidated experience and understanding of luxury brands along with her background driving the strategic development of successful global projects make her the ideal leader to drive Bally's commitment to unified commerce on a global level".
Frédéric De Narp, Bally Group CEO

Bally has moved to a three-pronged regional strategy and as such is also pleased to announce the promotion of Silvia Onofri to a new role as CEO for the EMEA region, in addition to her current role as Vice President of Global Wholesale. During her time in Bally, Silvia has obtained outstanding results entering top tier multi-brand doors around the world and increasing Bally's footprint in Travel Retail to make the brand a global leader in the field.

Silvia has extensive experience in the global fashion and luxury industry, having first joined the Bally team 10 years ago, following key marketing roles in Bulgari.

“Silvia has the unique benefit of intimately understanding the Bally brand and it’s DNA, and having proven experience in forging new relationships with the world’s leading retailers and their customers. With this invaluable expertise in hand, I am confident that she will infuse the EMEA Retail division with enthusiasm, professionalism and unique market insights to take Bally to the next level in these crucial markets” -
Frédéric De Narp.

The arrival of Eva Quirrenbach and the promotion of Silvia Onofri are part of Bally Group CEO Frédéric de Narp’s ongoing strategic vision to infuse Bally’s prestigious brand identity with heightened dynamism, appeal and allure.
Both roles report directly to Bally’s Group CEO, Frederic de Narp.

• BTE empfiehlt Start am 30. Juli 2018

Die Frühjahr/Sommer-Saison war für die Modebranche nicht einfach. Im März behinderte das lange winterliche Wetter den Start in die Frühjahrssaison, seit April herrschen fast übergangslos sommerliche Temperaturen vor. Als Folge ist vor allem die Übergangsware oft liegen geblieben, so dass der Umsatz im stationären Modefachhandel nach ersten BTE-Berechnungen im Durchschnitt um etwa zwei Prozent unter dem Vorjahr liegen dürfte.

Als Folge sind vor allem die Bestände an Frühjahrsware in etlichen Modehäusern noch hoch, was die Lagerräumung nicht erleichtern wird. In diesem Zusammenhang empfiehlt der BTE, den Sommer-Schluss-Verkauf als Räumungs-Event intensiv zu nutzen. Als Starttermin haben der BTE und die anderen Handelsverbände in diesem Jahr den 30. Juli propagiert. Er markiert das Ende bzw. den Höhepunkt der Reduzierungsphase und lockt so immer noch – wenn auch regional unterschiedlich stark - beträchtliche Teile der Bevölkerung zu diesem Anlass in die Läden.

Der Handel profitiert davon, dass die Medien nach wie vor über den Schlussverkauf berichten und so für einen nicht zu unterschätzenden PR-Effekt sorgen. Der BTE rät deshalb, diese kostenlose Vorlage zu nutzen und die Kunden über den Start der letzten Reduzierungs-Phase zu informieren. Aufwändige begleitende Schlussverkaufs-Werbung rechnet sich längst nicht immer, aber zumindest kostengünstige Kanäle wie z.B. Schaufenster-Werbung, eigener Newsletter, Instagram oder Facebook sollten dafür verwendet werden.

Hinweis: Der BTE und der HDE Handelsverband Deutschland werden im Vorfeld  wieder entsprechende Pressemeldung zum Sommer-Schluss-Verkauf verbreiten, die erfahrungsgemäß zahlreiche Berichte in den Medien auslösen. Die entsprechende BTE-Meldung ist im Internet unter www.bte.de einzusehen.

As the countdown to the 2018 edition of Cinte Techtextil China enters its last two months, the final exhibitor line-up is starting to take shape. A number of leading international and Chinese brands across the fair’s 12 product application areas will feature at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre from 4 – 6 September, with an expected 500-plus total exhibitors from around 20 countries & regions set to feature.

Nonwovens exhibitor highlights

As the fair’s largest product category, buyers have a wide range of domestic and overseas brands to source from, including:

• Johns Manville (US): who will showcase their polyester spunbond, PP & PBT meltblown, glass fibre nonwoven, micro glass fibre nonwoven, hybrid nonwoven, glass fibre needle mat and glass microfibre product lines among others at the fair.
•  J.H. Ziegler (Germany): with over 150 years’ expertise and their own production plant in China, they offer products for acoustic absorption in automotive interiors and exteriors, nonwoven foam composites for leather lamination, needle-punched nonwovens, foam nonwoven composites, laminated nonwovens and natural-fibre nonwovens.
• KOBE-cz (Czech Republic): a new exhibitor to the fair, their nonwoven fabrics, mainly made from glass fibre with temperature resistance up to 800°C, are used for high-temperature isolation in the automotive, marine, energy and building industries. They also have isolation materials made from natural fibres including hemp, wool, cotton and flax.
• TDF Nonwovens (China): one of the leading domestic brands, their specialties are polyester spunbond geotextiles, polyester filament roofing carriers, filter nonwovens, high-strength coarse denier polypropylene spunbond geotextiles and medical & health nonwovens.
• Kingsafe (China): they specialise in the production of fusible interlining and nonwoven fabrics for high-end garments.

Yarn & fibre exhibitor highlights

• Perlon (Germany): has developed a PET based monofilament, HighGrip, which guarantees long-lasting efficiency of conveyor belts, and is available in various types with different tribological characteristics, which they will feature at the fair.
• Sateri (China): is a global leader in viscose rayon made from 100% dissolving wood pulp, and the largest maker of viscose fibre in China. Their natural and high-quality fibre, made from trees grown on renewable plantations, can be found in textiles and skin-friendly hygiene products.
• Cordenka (Germany): producers of industrial rayon, their product range covers rayon tire cord, yarn, single-end dipped cord, short-cut fibre and more.
• EMS-Griltech (Switzerland): will showcase a range of technical fibres & yarns and thermoplastic adhesives at the fair.
• Barnet (Germany): several finished products (nonwovens, spun yarns and fabrics) made with their specialty fibre will be on display at the fair, including OPAN, para-aramid and carbon filament fibres. The application of their specialty fibre in flame retardant and anti-cut gloves and felts will be shown at their booth for the first time.

Coated textiles & solutions exhibitor highlights

• Stahl (the Netherlands): the Dutch company will present new products from their water repellent and flame retardant ranges at this year’s fair. According to the company, as the Chinese government continues its efforts to clean up the environment, eco-friendly chemicals remain in strong demand in the country.
• Sioen (Belgium): will showcase sign materials, truck tarpaulins, tents, membrane fabrics, apparel products, chemicals and specialty products such as inflatable boat fabrics, pool liners and more at Cinte 2018.
• ROWA Lack (Germany): a new exhibitor at this year’s fair, they will present their special lacquer systems and top coatings.
• Trelleborg (Sweden): also a new exhibitor, they will display engineered textiles, especially in the fields of outdoor, medical, protective and automotive.
• FPC Technical Textile (Saudi Arabia): another first-time participant at the fair, they will showcase a range of high-end specialty fabrics including PVC coated fabrics and fibre glass PTFE fabrics.
• Zhejiang Jinda New Materials (China): this supplier is known for its coated textiles for industrial, transportation and building uses, as well as warp knitted geo-synthetic materials and printable coated materials for advertisements.

Lenzing to showcase its new VEOCEL nonwovens specialty brand at the fair

First announced in June this year, and featuring at Cinte Techtextil, Lenzing’s new VEOCEL brand is billed as a premium range of nonwovens fibres for daily care, which “provides the nonwovens industry with fibres that are certified clean and safe, biodegradable, from botanic origin and produced in an environmentally responsible production process.” Products in this range can be applied to a multitude of uses including baby care, beauty and body care, intimate care and surface cleaning, under the VEOCEL Beauty, VEOCEL Body, VEOCEL Intimate and VEOCEL Surface brands.

Asia’s largest biennial event for the entire technical textiles and nonwovens sector will feature some of the industry’s biggest overseas machinery brands. Held on the earlier date of 4 – 6 September this year, the fair will feature an expected 500-plus total exhibitors from around 20 countries & regions.

As the world’s largest producer of technical textiles and nonwovens, China’s demand for production machinery is insatiable. As such, this September’s Cinte Techtextil China has attracted some of the world’s leading machinery brands, particularly in the nonwovens and sewing machinery sectors, ensuring a wide range of sourcing options for both domestic and international buyers.

Overseas producers respond to strong Chinese demand
As the Chinese domestic and export markets’ demand for quality technical textiles and nonwovens products continues to increase, overseas machinery brands continue to enter the country, using Cinte Techtextil China as their starting-out platform. ANDRITZ Nonwoven is just one of those who see the growing potential. “Chinese nonwovens manufacturers are increasingly requiring higher capacities and top-class quality for their nonwovens products for local and export markets,” Mr Laurent Jallat explained. “China is the biggest market in terms of installed capacity, and shows quite promising potential for the future. In the past years, we’ve seen rapid growth in products such as disposable face masks.” ANDRITZ responds to this demand with their neXline spunlace eXcelle line which features state-of-the-art TT card web forming and JetlaceEssentiel hydro entanglement units for high capacity and speed.

The DiloGroup also report an increase in demand for their products in China. “China is one of our biggest markets,” explains Mr Dominik Foshag. “We have procured huge orders from China, as Chinese customers are considering German technology more frequently nowadays. The visitor quality of Cinte Techtextil has been very good in this past, and we think this year’s fair will be also successful as we know many of our customers are going to visit.”

Oerlikon will introduce its spunbond technology to the Chinese market this year, and is expecting to conclude initial contracts at the fair due to increased demand for overseas products. “The Chinese market for nonwovens products is by far the largest and fastest growing national market. Chinese manufacturers are no longer satisfied with lower product quality, but want to exceed Western quality levels, for example. The products must now meet stricter customer requirements and legal standards, some of which are significantly higher than other international standards,” Ms Lena Kachelmaier said.

Truetzschler Nonwovens has also noticed this trend. Ms Jutta Stehr commented: “In the last two or three years, China became one of the pacemakers in the field of nonwovens used in beauty, skin care and hygiene applications. Asian markets have set new standards concerning quality in nonwovens. For instance, making disposable wipes from cotton fibres is a trend originating in Asia. The luxurious feeling of cotton combined with the requirement for eco-friendly products will further drive demand in China and elsewhere. Accordingly, Truetzschler Nonwovens anticipates more inquiries at Cinte Techtextil for its proven carding and spunlacing solutions for cotton nonwovens.”

Weaving machine supplier Itema has also noticed strong demand in China for products made in Italy. “Generally speaking, and especially for technical fabrics, imported machinery is highly evaluated and appreciated by Chinese customers. In recent years, Itema experienced significant growth in the sale of its Made-in-Italy weaving machines in China, and in other APAC countries. Imported machines are synonymous with quality and reliability, and we believe this positive trend will be constant in the future,” Mr Matteo De Micheli outlined.

Weaving machinery exhibitor highlights

• ANDRITZ Nonwoven: their specialty is technologies for drylaid, wetlaid, spunbond, spunlace, needlepunch and textile calendering. At Cinte Techtextil, they will highlight their aXcess product portfolio, which has been especially designed for medium-capacity production. ANDRITZ has developed this range to fit the demands of producers with medium-capacity requirements, particularly in emerging markets. It includes lines and individual machines for needlepunch, spunlace, wetlaid and calendering processes.
• Autefa Solutions: visitors to their booth will experience the company’s expertise as a full line supplier for carded- crosslapped needlepunch lines, aerodynamic web forming technology, spunlace and thermobonding lines. Their nonwovens lines meet customers’ requirements for quality web formation, bonding, active weight regulation and minimal maintenance.
• DILO Systems: a leader in the field of staple fibre nonwoven production lines, DiloGroup will present their latest developments at the fair, including staple fibre production lines, card feeding and cards and crosslappers & needlelooms.
• Oerlikon: they will showcase spunbond solution lines for the production of polypropylene geotextiles. According to the company, spunbond geotextile applications are on the rise as the market is increasingly demanding more efficient processes and products, which means the product requirements are often the same or greater, but with a lower raw material input. Spunbonds are progressively replacing classical carded nonwovens due to their technical and commercial benefits.
• Truetzschler Nonwovens: concentrating on solutions for producing a broad range of hygiene nonwovens including wipes at the fair, they will focus on thermobonding & spunlacing processes and the respective machinery, from fibre preparation down to winding.

Sewing machinery exhibitor highlights

• Itema: making their debut at Cinte Techtextil, they are a leading supplier of weaving machines for technical fabrics production. According to the company, they are the only weaving machine producer to offer technical textile manufacturers the top three technologies for weft insertion: Rapier, Projectile and Airjet.
• Picanol: they use their leading position as producers of weaving machines for other textile products to expand into machines for woven technical textiles by investing heavily in state-of-the-art technology, as well through the modular design of their machine platforms which allow them to serve different industry sectors effectively.
• Lindauer Dornier: featuring in the German Pavilion this edition, they offer a number of weaving machine varieties including rapier, air-jet, open reed weave (ORW) and more. Their rapier weaving machines have set the technological standard in the high quality wool textiles market for decades, and this quality will be on display at their booth with the DORNIER P1 rapier weaving machine.

Domestic brands to watch out for

In addition to these leading overseas brands, a strong line-up of Chinese machinery producers will also feature at the fair, including Changshu Weicheng Non-Woven Equipment and Shijiazhuang Textile Machinery.

• Auch für mittelständische Modehäuser praktikabel

In den letzten Jahren hat sich Influencer-Werbung in der Modebranche stark ausgebreitet. Viele bekannte Marken und auch etliche große Modehändler arbeiten mittlerweile mit populären Bloggern, You Tubern oder Instagrammern zusammen, um ihre Kollektionen bzw. Sortimente über deren Beiträge bekannt zu machen. Influencer mit einer sechs- bis siebenstelligen Zahl von Followern verlangen dafür allerdings mittlerweile nicht selten vier- bis fünfstellige Beträge.

Trotzdem können auch mittelständische Modehäuser diese Art von Werbung für ihre Zwecke nutzen. Denn praktisch in jeder größeren Stadt gibt es mittlerweile eine ansehnliche Zahl von Influencern im Bereich Mode und Lifestyle, über die man mindestens eine hohe vierstellige Zahl von Mode-Interessierten erreichen kann. Speziell bei den Instagrammern handelt es sich meist um Schüler oder Studenten, vereinzelt „jobben“ sie aber sogar im Modehandel.

Hochinteressant ist Influencer-Marketing vor allem für den jüngeren Markt, da weit mehr als 80 Prozent der Instagram-Nutzer 39 Jahre und jünger sind (Stand 2017). Im Folgenden daher drei Beispiele, wie mittelständische Modehändler solche Werbung in der Praxis organisiert und umgesetzt haben:

• Ein höhergenriges Modehaus hat mittlerweile schon drei Handelsfachwirte eingestellt, die laut Stellenausschreibung auch als Influencer/in bzw. Model für das Geschäft tätig sind. Dies hat auch die Attraktivität des Ausbildungsplatzes erhöht und gute Abiturienten/innen angelockt, die sich häufig nicht für eine Ausbildung im Modehandel interessieren. Die Beiträge werden dann auch für die Website (Blog) und die Facebook-Seite verwendet, daher werden für die Shootings (auch) professionelle Fotografen eingesetzt.
• Ein mittelständischer Filialist hat drei Influencer aus der Region gewonnen, indem er Instagrammer angesprochen hat, die bisher schon Posts des Unternehmens geliked bzw. geteilt hatten. Die Zusammenarbeit ist preisgünstig und beschränkt sich auf moderate Rabatte und gelegentliche kostenfreie Teile. Die Kosten liegen um den Faktor fünf bis zehn günstiger als Printwerbung. Der Zeitaufwand für Planung und Kontrolle ist gering.
• Ein anderes Modehaus ermutigt seine (jüngeren) Mitarbeiter, aktiv bei Instagram, Snapchat oder Facebook Mode-Posts über ihre privaten Accounts zu versenden.

Auch andere Beispiele zeigen, dass Influencer-Werbung auch für mittelständische Unternehmen eine sinnvolle Alternative sein kann. Der damit verbundene (zeitliche) Aufwand ist allerdings sehr unterschiedlich und hängt davon ab, inwieweit das Unternehmen die Inhalte steuern will.

• More than EUR 100 mn investment in sustainable production technology until 2022
• Lenzing is committed to improving the textile and nonwoven industries as a leader in sustainable fiber solutions
• UN-Sustainable Development Goals as guiding principles for Lenzing’s sustainability agenda
• All Lenzing sites strive to fulfill the EU Ecolabel standard by 2022

The Lenzing Group, producer of botanic fibers from wood, expands its environmental leadership commitment. As a leader in wood-based cellulosic fibers, Lenzing has particular responsibility and ambition to help raising the bar in sustainability in the textile and nonwovens industries. To fulfill this vision, Lenzing is continuing its ambitious roadmap by investing more than EUR 100 mn in sustainable manufacturing technologies and production facilities until 2022.
 
Lenzing’s circular operating models with closed loop production processes set the standard in the industry. In order to further extend the environmental leadership, a major part of this investment will focus on closed loop production technologies for the expansion of the sulfur recovery systems. The second area of investment will be in improving the effluent treatment units. In addition, Lenzing will upgrade its energy usage to more sustainable solutions reducing its greenhouse gas emissions due to the construction of a gas boiler at its site in China. This investment strengthens Lenzing’s sustainability leadership at its Viscose facility in Nanjing.
 
The investments underline Lenzing’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) as guiding principles for its sustainability agenda. One of the most significant SDGs for the company is SDG 12: Responsible production and consumption.
 
Stefan Doboczky, Chief Executive Officer, comments: “The textile and the nonwoven industries face fundamental challenges related to sustainability. Lenzing is passionate to take a leadership role in addressing this and making the world a better place. Our holistic approach to sustainability underpins this scope. The new eco-investment program is a major step forward in our ambitions.”
 
“The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are a universal call for a sustainable economy that protects the planet and ensures prosperity and well-being for all people”, states Lenzing Chief Commercial
Officer Robert van de Kerkhof. “With our REFIBRA™ technology, Lenzing is innovating to support a more circular, bio-based economy, contributing in particular to SDG 12”, he adds.
 
With the Lenzing Group sustainability targets announced in 2018, Lenzing strives to upgrade all its production sites to the ambitious European Ecolabel standard by 2022. As a result, Lenzing is one of the first companies to commit to a global sustainability-oriented manufacturing standard.

Im Rahmen des 11. Kongresses „Energiemanagement im Einzelhandel“, den der BTE und das EHI Retail-Institut am 27./28. November 2018 in Köln ausrichten, wird auch wieder der „Energie Management Award (EMA)“ verliehen. Unternehmen, die in der Handelspraxis zukunftsweisende Energieeffizienztechnologien einsetzen oder herausragende Energieeffizienzprojekte betreuen, können noch bis 31. August die Chance zur Bewerbung nutzen.

Die Preise werden in drei Kategorien vergeben. Weitere Informationen unter www.energiekongress.com.