New pilot plant for TencelWeb nonwovens

10 June 2009, Federal Way, WA - Lenzing and Weyerhaeuser have commissioned a pilot plant in Lenzing, Austria, to explore the commercial potential of TencelWeb, a new technology to produce nonwoven fabrics directly from lyocell.

The pilot plant gives the companies the opportunity to test the large-scale production of this cellulose-based nonwoven fabric for use in industrial and personal care products. TencelWeb provides an alternative to petroleum-based nonwovens by applying both meltblown and spunbond technology to raw materials made from renewable wood fibre.

“This cooperation combines over twenty years of Lenzing's expertise in the development of lyocell staple fibre and Weyerhaeuser's extensive experience in applying technology to cellulose to create innovative and sustainable products,” says Don Atkinson, VP Market Development and Innovation for the Cellulose Fibers business at Weyerhaeuser.

Robert Smith, New Business and Innovation Director of Lenzing’s Business Unit Nonwovens adds: “Working with key partners in the industry, the next stage of our joint development work will focus on understanding the key process economics and the unique capabilities of TencelWeb.”

Both companies have a strong intellectual property base in the direct and underpinning technology required to make this novel nonwoven material directly from lyocell.

About the Lenzing Group

The Lenzing Group is an international group of companies with its headquarters in Austria, production sites in all major markets and a global network of sales and marketing offices. Lenzing provides the global textile and nonwovens industry with high-quality cellulose fibres. The company is a leading supplier in many business-to-business markets, from cellulose fibres to special plastic polymer products.

About Weyerhaeuser Cellulose Fibers

Weyerhaeuser is one of the world’s largest softwood market pulp producers, with a global direct sales force supported by manufacturing facilities in North America. As a leader in cellulose-based research and development, Weyerhaeuser works extensively with its customers to develop unique or specialized applications for cellulose fibres. Its fibre is found in familiar products such as kitchen towels, bathroom tissue, baby diapers, household wipes and nonwoven fabrics. Weyerhaeuser’s early work in meltblown technology for nonwovens was co-developed with Fraunhofer IAP.

Weyerhaeuser Company, one of the world's largest forest products companies, was incorporated in 1900. In 2008, sales were $8 billion. It has offices or operations in 10 countries, with customers worldwide. Weyerhaeuser is principally engaged in the growing and harvesting of timber; the manufacture, distribution and sale of forest products; and real estate construction and development.