Lenzing and Natural Fiber Welding Team Up to Create Environmentally Friendly Leather Substitute

TENCEL x MIRUM (NFW) Fabric Collaboration / content creator: NFW / Copyright: NFW

(IN BRIEF) Lenzing and Natural Fiber Welding Inc. (NFW) have announced a partnership to offer TENCEL™ branded fibers as an additional backer option for NFW’s patented plant-based material, MIRUM®. The new material will be showcased for the first time in Milan, Italy at the LINEAPELLE international leather fair. MIRUM® is a unique and environmentally friendly material that is made of natural rubber, plant and mineral pigments, plant-based oils and waxes, and an all-natural fabric backing, while TENCEL™ fibers are soft and pleasant on the skin and are made from sustainable wood sources. The combination of both materials creates a sustainable alternative for leather applications that is versatile enough to be used in various industries, and the product will be available through Lenzing’s E-Branding Service this year.

(PRESS RELEASE) LENZING, 20-Feb-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — The Lenzing Group (VIE: LNZ), an Austria-based world’s leading supplier of specialty fibers, and Natural Fiber Welding Inc. (NFW) have joined forces to offer TENCEL™ branded fibers as another backer option for NFW’s patented plant-based technology, MIRUM®. The MIRUM® x TENCEL™ collaboration will be presented for the first time in Milan, Italy at the LINEAPELLE international leather fair, from 21st to 23rd February 2023.

MIRUM® is a unique material class that is suitable for high-end accessories, fashion, footwear, automotive, and home goods. TENCEL™ Lyocell and Modal fibers are obtained from sustainable wood sources and manufactured using environmentally responsible methods. These fibers are identifiable, verifiable, and traceable using Lenzing’s Fiber Identification technology, enabling full traceability of fiber materials used in the production process.

NFW’s innovative approach employs a variety of natural ingredients to create color and add visual interest to MIRUM®, which is made from natural rubber, plant and mineral pigments, plant-based oils and waxes, and an all-natural fabric backing. The result is a product that is free of plastic and uses natural rubber and plant oils for binding instead of PU binders.

“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. One of the best examples of the collaboration is the Allbirds Plant Pacer, which released last fall. The shoe’s upper is made with MIRUM® lined with TENCEL™.

“This partnership is a perfect example of how the combination of our sustainable TENCEL™ fibers 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™ fibers 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 AG.

Products made with MIRUM® can be recycled into new MIRUM® or returned to the earth, while TENCEL™ fibers are compostable and biodegradable, ensuring complete circularity of finished products.

The collaboration creates a sustainable alternative for leather applications that is versatile enough to be used in various industries. MIRUM® is a perfect choice for designers and brands looking to reduce their environmental footprint and expand their creative palette, while TENCEL™ fibers provide exceptional moisture management and softness on the skin.

The new MIRUM® material backed with TENCEL™ fibers will be showcased at LINEAPELLE 2023, including the Allbirds Plant Pacer. The product is now available globally, and the “MIRUM® x TENCEL™” leather alternative product will be added to Lenzing’s E-Branding Service this year.

Media contact:

Rita Ng
Head of Global Marketing Services

+852 3718 5675
r.ng@lenzing.com

SOURCE: LENZING AG