Lenzing has teamed up with NFW (Natural Fiber Welding), of Peoria, Illinois, USA, to offer Tencel branded fibres as a backing option for Mirum – NFW’s patented plant-based range of alternative leathers.

The Mirum x Tencel collaboration will be showcased for the first time at Lineapelle, the international leather fair taking place in Milan, Italy, this week (February 21-23).

Completely plastic free, Mirum is made from natural rubber, plant and mineral pigments, and plant-based oils and waxes instead of  the polyurethane (PU) coatings that are a characteristic of most leather alternatives. The company incorporates a diversity of natural ingredients into its formulations, including biobased charcoal, clay, cork powder, rice hulls, coconut fibres, recycled denim and seaweed, to develop colour or add visual interest.

At end of life, products made with Mirum can be recycled into new Mirum products or ground up and returned to the earth, while Tencel fibres are compostable and biodegradable, enabling the complete circularity of finished products.

Tencel fibres are also identifiable, verifiable and traceable through Lenzing’s fibre identification technology which enables a physical identification of fibre origin at different stages of production. This enables full traceability of the fibre materials used during the production process, whether on a piece of fabric or finished product.

“At NFW, we believe that plant matter is the only material that can scale to replace plastic,” said Oihana Elizalde, vice-president and general manager of Mirum at NFW. “By adding Mirum to fabrics made of Tencel, we can enhance material transparency and traceability, while guaranteeing comfort and great hand feel on the skin.”

www.lenzing.com