Lenzing Takes a Stake in Cellulosic Fiber Maker TreeToTextile
Lenzing Group has over eight decades of history manufacturing wood-based fibers, with a portfolio that today includes TENCEL™ Lyocell and Modal, LENZING™ ECOVERO™ Viscose and VEOCEL™ Lyocell and Viscose. As we look to create more sustainable regenerated cellulosic fibers, we are also collaborating with the industry to drive progress in this area, leveraging our collective know-how.
As part of this mission, Lenzing Group has acquired a minority stake in TreeToTextile, a Swedish-based fiber company that is creating cellulosic staple fiber with low environmental impact as well as a low production cost. With this investment—expected to close in the first half of 2025 following regulatory approvals—Lenzing joins other shareholders H&M Group, Inter IKEA Group, Stora Enso and LSCS Invest.
“We are excited about TreeToTextile’s award-winning technology and production process, which further reduces environmental impact, promotes the transition to a more sustainable future and is fully in line with our corporate strategy,” said Rohit Aggarwal, CEO of Lenzing Group. “This partnership is a significant investment and a sign of Lenzing’s relentless commitment to innovation by combining the power of its own innovation engine with a strong strategic cooperation approach. We look forward to contributing our expertise to TreeToTextile’s mission.”
TreeToTextile was founded in 2014 by H&M Group, Inter IKEA Group and LSCS Invest, and began operating pilot lines in 2015 and a demonstration plant in 2021, which has a 350 kilogram-per-hour capacity. The next step is scaling up production so that its staple fiber can be distributed globally.
To prepare for market launch, TreeToTextile is testing applications for its fibers with industry players. These trials enable it to provide “recipes” and advice on processing and blending its fibers. The fibers have a dry, cotton-like hand feel, and they can be blended with materials like cotton or man-made fibers. They are a fit for textiles that are worn or used close to the skin, including towels, bed linens, T-shirts, undergarments and shirts. TreeToTextile also notes the fibers’ semi-dull sheen and high drapability qualities.
“Now with the additional expertise and sustainability leadership of our new shareholder Lenzing Group, our speed to market will increase significantly, to reach our ambitious goals and become an important player in the textile industry,” said Dr. Roxana Barbieru, CEO of TreeToTextile.