Lenzing AG, a leading producer of wood-based cellulose fibres, has presented its new sustainability strategy within the context of the World Earth Day organised by the worldwide Earth Day Network.

Each year millions of people actively participate in Earth Day on 22 April and stand up for the preservation of a livable environment. In this connection, Lenzing donated a total of US$ 27,000 to the Canopy project for its ongoing tree planting programme. With this amount, Lenzing completes Earth Day Network’s target of raising US$ 150,000 for Earth Day 2017. The United Nations estimate that for every dollar spent on reforestation, US$ 2.50 is generated in local downstream income and benefits.

“We’re very grateful for Lenzing Group’s generous donation,” said Earth Day Network president Kathleen Rogers. “With the help of partners such as Lenzing, we’re not just planting trees, we’re also helping build sustainable communities in areas of the world most in need of reforestation.”

New sustainability strategy

The new sustainability strategy Naturally Positive of the Lenzing Group is the result of the new Group strategy sCore TEN adopted in the autumn of 2015. “The concept of sustainability is an integral feature of our Group strategy. This is because Lenzing is in the unique position to be able to operate a truly circular business model. We produce functional, aesthetic and emotional products by utilizing the raw material wood from CO2 and sunlight,” said Stefan Doboczky, CEO of the Lenzing Group. “At the end of their useful lives, our fibres are biodegradable and thus once again serve as the basis for new plant growth.”

This model of the circular economy pervades the entire Lenzing sustainability strategy. It is based on the three “P” cornerstones, People – Planet – Profit, the company explains. Crucial operational components being implemented include the sustainable procurement of wood and a responsible handling of water.

The raw material wood is completely converted into valuable industrial raw materials and bioenergy at the biorefineries of the Lenzing Group. Largely closed chemical cycles ensure the environmentally compatible production of Lenzing fibres. Accordingly, more than 99% of the solvent used to manufacture Tencel fibres is recovered. Other key aspects of the sustainability strategy applied by Lenzing are the decarbonisation of production for the sake of improved climate protection, as well as the promotion of sustainable innovations designed to replace resource-intensive, environmentally harmful products.

Cooperation with value chain

This approach is complemented by a close cooperation with the value chain in order to jointly develop and implement systemic solutions, the manufacturer reports.

“That is why we closely work together with multi-stakeholder initiatives and actively support a range of NGOs devoted to propagating sustainability principles,” commented Robert van de Kerkhof, CCO of the Lenzing Group. “With this in mind, we are pursuing a policy oriented towards the long term which features transparency and mutual trust with all our stakeholders.”

Canopy Project

Through the Canopy Project, Earth Day Network works on the ground with organisations worldwide that strengthen communities through tree planting. This project has led to millions of trees being planted on six different continents.

Since 2016, The Canopy Project has taken on even broader significance. Now the important work of planting trees and improving lives around the world also supports Earth Day Network’s Trees for the Earth campaign. Trees for the Earth was the first of five new, ambitious, and goal-oriented campaigns to be launched in the run up to Earth Day’s 50th anniversary in 2020. Its goal: to plant 7.8 billion trees worldwide by 2020 – one for every person projected to be on earth.

www.lenzing.com