Lenzing Group, a leader in sustainable fiber production, has taken a significant step toward reducing the environmental footprint of the textile industry by partnering with Italian chemicals manufacturer CPL Prodotti Chimici and Oniverse, the parent company of the renowned fashion brand Calzedonia. This strategic collaboration focuses on utilizing Lenzing’s biobased acetic acid for textile dyeing processes, offering a more sustainable alternative to traditional fossil-based chemicals.

Acetic acid, a crucial chemical used in a wide range of industries, is typically produced through fossil fuel-based methods, contributing to high carbon emissions. Lenzing, however, has developed a biorefinery process that creates biobased acetic acid as a by-product of pulp production. This biobased version boasts a significantly lower carbon footprint—over 85% less than its fossil-based counterpart. This reduction in CO2 emissions aligns with Lenzing’s commitment to creating more sustainable, circular production models and reducing the environmental impact of its processes.

The biobased acetic acid produced by Lenzing will be used by Oniverse for fabric dyeing, marking a critical step in the textile industry’s shift toward greener production methods. Acetic acid is a key ingredient in the dyeing process, where it serves as a solvent and pH regulator. The use of Lenzing’s biobased acetic acid in textile production represents an innovative solution to make the dyeing process more sustainable and less reliant on petroleum-based products.

Elisabeth Stanger, Senior Director for Biorefinery and Co-Products at Lenzing, highlights the importance of this partnership in advancing sustainable chemical applications. “Thanks to its high purity and low carbon footprint, our biobased acetic acid plays a central role in many industrial processes,” Stanger says. “This strategic alliance underlines the industry’s trust in our biorefinery products, which offer a more sustainable alternative to fossil-based chemicals.”

For Oniverse, the use of Lenzing’s biobased acetic acid represents an opportunity to integrate sustainability into its core production processes. Federico Fraboni, Head of Sustainability at Oniverse, calls the partnership a model for how supply chains can collaborate to drive positive environmental change. “This collaboration is a clear example of how different sectors can work together to reduce their environmental impact,” Fraboni says. “It demonstrates our commitment to making the fashion industry more sustainable, starting with the materials we use.”

This new collaboration offers a glimpse into the future of textile production, where chemicals and raw materials are sourced in a way that reduces environmental harm and enhances sustainability. Lenzing’s innovative biobased acetic acid is paving the way for a cleaner, greener future in the textile industry, while also contributing to a broader movement toward sustainable manufacturing across multiple sectors. By reducing the carbon footprint of dyeing processes and other industrial applications, Lenzing, CPL, and Oniverse are setting an important precedent for sustainability in chemical manufacturing and textile production.