Further expansion at Lenzing
Austria-based cellulosic fibres specialist Lenzing is investing EUR 120 million to increase its production capacity in both Europe and Asia. Its expansion plans are scheduled for completion by 2011.
The company is increasing capacity at its Lenzing, Austria, plant in order to produce more of its Modal fibre. It is also expanding its site in Heilingenkreuz, Austria, and reconstructing its site in Grimsby, UK, where it is focusing on Tencel production. Another key development is its decision to acquire a 75% in Czech pulp producer Paskor in order to ensure its raw material supply is secured.
Dietrich Eichinger, business unit head for textile fibres, explains that part of the reason for the expansions are that its fibres are being used in more and more applications, including applications within the sport and outdoor sector. He also claims that there will be increasing demand for cellulosic fibres because of the way the world is changing. “Due to the world’s population explosion, areas of land used for cotton cultivation are directly competing with land used to cultivate foodstuffs,” he says. “This will lead to a further rise in cellulosic fibres since fibres based on crude oil will not be able to satisfy the demand for skin-friendly fibres, As a result, we expect moisture-managing cellulose fibres to be increasingly in demand in the future.”
