LENZNG – Austrian specialty fibre company Lenzing has announced a partnership with NFW (Natural Fiber Welding) to offer Tencel branded fibers as another backer option for NFW’s patented plant-based technology, Mirum. The collaboration will be showcased for the first time in Milan, Italy during the international leather fair, LINEAPELLE.
Mirum is a unique material class, used for luxury accessories, fashion, footwear, automotive, and home goods. Tencel Lyocell and Modal fibers are derived from sustainable wood sources and produced using environmentally responsible processes. The fibers are identifiable, verifiable and traceable through Lenzing’s Fiber Identification technology which enables a physical identification of fibre origin at different stages of production. This enables full traceability of the fiber materials used during the production process, whether on a piece of fabric or finished product, like garments or footwear.
Free from plastic – unlike lots of leather alternatives – Mirum is made from natural rubber, plant and mineral pigments, plant-based oils and waxes, and an all-natural fabric backing.
NFW’s unique approach incorporates a diversity of natural ingredients like biobased charcoal, clay, cork powder, rice hulls, coconut fibers, recycled denim or seaweed to develop color or add visual interest. At the end of its life cycle, products made with Mirum can be recycled into new Mirum or ground up and returned to the earth, while Tencel fibres are compostable and biodegradable, enabling complete circularity of finished products.
“At NFW, we believe that plant matter is the only material that can scale to replace plastic. Since its inception, Mirum has been engineered to benefit our planet. By adding fabrics made of Tencel to Mirum, we can enhance material transparency and traceability, while guaranteeing comfort and great hand feel on the skin. We are thrilled to join hands with the Tencel brand and we will continue creating greener alternatives for the fashion industry,” said Oihana Elizalde, vice president and general manager of Mirum at NFW.
“This partnership is a perfect example of how the combination of our sustainable Tencel fibres and innovative materials like Mirum can go beyond traditional textiles. With innovation at heart, there are infinite possibilities for application of the new material. Tencel fibres used as backer not only increase the level of transparency and traceability of Mirum, but also enhance comfort – and with a very low carbon footprint. We are confident that the versatile material will be loved by supply chain partners and brands across footwear, fashion apparel, accessories, furniture, and even automotive industries,” said Birgit Schnetzlinger, head of business development Functional Wear and Footwear, Global Textiles Business at Lenzing.