The Lenzing Group, a leading global supplier of specialty fibers for the textile and nonwovens industries, has signed a contract for the acquisition of the 43 MW biomass power plant of ENERGIE 42 Beteiligungs GmbH located in the Heiligenkreuz business park (Burgenland). The transaction is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to close in the second quarter of 2023.
This strategic investment will significantly reduce the dependence on fossil fuels at the Lenzing production site in Heiligenkreuz. In fact, approximately 50% of the natural gas currently used can be replaced by renewable energy in the future.
Reduction of 50,000 tons of C02 per year
Lenzing produces eco-responsible lyocell fibers under the TENCEL™ and VEOCEL™ brands, as well as a variety of premium fibers, such as TENCEL™ fibers with REFIBRA™ technology or carbon-neutral TENCEL™ lyocell fibers for the textile and nonwoven industries in Heiligenkreuz.
Previously, the site relied heavily on natural gas with less than ten percent of its energy coming from biomass and biogas. The exclusive use of biomass from the nearby power plant will allow the site to reduce its CO2 emissions from energy use by approximately 50,000 tons of CO2 per year.
Carbon neutrality by 2050
Lenzing’s specialty fibers help to significantly reduce CO2 emissions throughout the supply chain and help Lenzing’s customers, especially brands and retailers, to achieve their climate and sustainability goals. In 2019, in line with the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Lenzing committed to reducing its CO2 emissions per ton of product by 50% by 2030. Lenzing also aims to be carbon neutral by 2050. The Science Based Target initiative has validated this target according to scientific criteria, making Lenzing the first wood-based cellulose fiber manufacturer with a scientifically approved target.
With the acquisition of the biomass power plant, Lenzing is accelerating the transition to renewable energies and thus achieving its climate targets. This consistent step also opens up opportunities to develop other renewable energy sources, such as photovoltaic panels, on a larger scale in the future.
