Austrian producer of cellulose fibres and plastics Lenzing has posted improved results for the first quarter, boosted by strong organic growth at its cellulose fibres business and acquisitions at Lenzing Plastics.

Consolidated sales of the group rose 13.8% to €297.2 million from €261.2 million in the same period of 2006, driven by further production increases in its fibres business. Strong demand for viscose fibres benefited the Business Unit Textile Fibers as well as Business Unit Nonwoven Fibers and the company used the favourable market development to further improve its product mix of high-quality fibre specialities and to implement price increases. All of its production plants are now running at full capacity.