Lenzing is a leading manufacturer of cellulosic fibres. Key brands are Tencel, Lenzing Modal, MicroModal, Lenzing Viscose and Lenzing FR (flame retardant). In addition, Lenzing has announced that it has set up a joint venture with two German companies, SGL Carbon and Kelheim Fibres, to expand its operations into the manufacture of carbon fibres.

The company's sales reached Euro1 bn (US$1.3 bn) for the first time during the year ending December 31, 2006, mainly as a result of an exceptional performance in its fibres business. Lenzing attributes its success to its proprietary cellulosic fibre technology and its focus on the production of high value and low volume speciality fibres for niche markets.

In 2005 Lenzing's total fibre output was 453,806 tons. In 2007 its production capacity increased further following the start-up of a new 60,000 tons per annum viscose fibre line in Nanjing, China. In early 2007 the company operated two viscose fibre plants: one in Lenzing, Austria, and another in Indonesia. It also has three Tencel lyocell fibre plants: in Heiligenkreuz, Austria; in Grimsby, UK; and in Alabama, USA.

The company's viscose unit in Lenzing boasts a number of unique advantages. Its entire wood pulp requirements come from an integrated pulp facility, while its heat and power needs are sourced from a nearby power plant which is owned and operated by Lenzing. This integrated approach enables the company to source low cost, high quality wood pulp and generate sales from by-products of wood processing. It also gives Lenzing complete control over its energy supply. As a result, just 18% of the Lenzing site's fuel comes from fossil fuels.

It is generally expected that demand for cotton will exceed supply in the near future, and executives at Lenzing believe that cellulosic fibres can fill part of the shortfall in supply. Cellulosic fibres offer a number of practical advantages over cotton, such as moisture management for sensitive skin, a variety of surface effects, improved durability and flame retardancy. In terms of the manufacturing process, cellulosics result in a higher average yield per hectare, significantly lower water usage, renewable resources (wood), reduced pesticides, fertilisers and insecticides, and zero reliance on genetically modified (GM) crops.

Product Overview

Four times a year, Technical Textile Markets provides an overview of the global man-made fibre, nonwoven and technical textile industries. It provides market data and analysis of new and established markets for technical textiles, and is essential reading for senior executives in (or supplying) the man-made fibre, nonwoven and technical textile sectors ? as well as for those who are not involved in the industry on a day-to-day basis, but who need an authoritative source which helps them to quickly gain an understanding of the key issues facing the companies which are actively involved in this fast-growing sector.

Reports in Technical Textile Markets include:

Company and country profiles ? giving you the opportunity to learn from strategies employed by others, in terms of production, sourcing, import/export, infrastructure and development, and plans for the future.

Profiles of the world's top 40 producers of nonwovens ? updated each year with details of developments from each of the leading leading producers, including acquisitions, investments and divestments, and analyses of trends which the "rising stars" are using to their advantage.

Statistical reports ? including consumption data, by fibre and end-use applications. Regular updates are published for fibre consumption in Japan, the rest of Asia, the USA, and Western Europe.

Market sector information ? analyses of important commercial end-user applications, and profiles of both established and emerging markets which take into account such innovations and developments as nanotechnology and intelligent textiles.

Regular updates on innovations in fibres, technical textiles, apparel and machinery ? including developments in the following categories: fibres and yarns; technical textile fabrics for industrial applications; machinery; technical textiles for apparel; composites; other technical textile products; and technical textile treatments and finishes.

Reports on new technological developments and other topical issues ? with clear, authoritative comments on their economic and commercial significance. The reports bring to your attention the key issues which you can use to develop your business, and provides contact details of useful organisations.