The fabric’s front is enhanced by Solvay’s award winning Amni Soul Eco. © Solvay/Lenzing

The new fabric developed together by Lenzing Group from Austria and the Belgian company Solvay marks a further and important step forward in the pursuit of an ever more responsible innovation, offering performance, durability and comfort all at once.

“There is a major need for sustainability, these days, especially in the fashion industry. It is an ongoing process that has to start from the very beginning of the production chain, from the fibres involved in the creation of fabrics and, later on, garments. Both Amni Soul Eco polyamide and Tencel Lyocell fibres have already proved they responsible character. Combined together they will lead to great results in terms of durability, comfort and performance, while helping to preserve the planet and its resources,” explained Daniela Antunes, Solvay Business Development Manager.

From the way fibres are made to how they affect the planet at the very end of their life cycle, this new product is as innovative as the technologies involved in its creation, the partners explain. The back of the new fabric is made of Tencel Active lyocell fibres derived from renewable, responsibly managed wood sources.

The back of the new fabric is made of Tencel Active lyocell fibres. © Solvay/Lenzing

The fabric’s front is enhanced by Solvay’s award winning Amni Soul Eco, the first polyamide 6.6 fibre with improved biodegradability, as it stands out in the polyamide industry for its biodegradable properties. While other polyamide fibres take decades to decompose, Amni Soul Eco branded fibres are designed to biodegrade in around five years when disposed of in well controlled landfills, as demonstrated by laboratory biodegradation tests in accordance with ASTM D5511 - Standard Test Method for Determining Anaerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials Under High-Solids Anaerobic-Digestion Conditions (equivalent to ISO 15985).

The new fabric is designed to further optimise the benefits the two fibres contribute. Being in direct contact with the skin, Tencel Lyocell offers microscopic fibrils of cellulosic fibres with cross-sections structured to regulate the absorption and release of moisture, contributing to fabric breathability that supports the body’s natural thermal regulation. Moreover, it is designed to provide a less favourable environment for bacterial growth, enhancing the fabric with better hygienic qualities. On the fabric face, Amni Soul Eco polyamide provides better abrasion resistance while boasting great benefits in terms of dimensional stability, colour retention, and drying speed.

The new fabric is designed to further optimise the benefits the two fibres contribute. © Solvay/Lenzing

“The combination of Tencel Active fibres, which is derived from renewable wood sources using sustainable production processes, and Solvay´s Amni Soul Eco polyamide fibres enhances biodegradability results into a more sustainable, comfortable, easy care fabric that advances the concept of circular economy,” said Andreas Guertler, Head of Global Business Management Activewear at Lenzing.

“Future collaborations with Solvay will focus on Tencel Lyocell with Refibra technology, our newest fibre innovation made from upcycled cotton scraps and wood pulp, and Amni Soul Eco polyamide to further reduce our environmental impact.”

www.solvay.com

www.lenzing.com