Partners combine lyocell with recycled leather

Category: FIBRES

Country: Austria

By Simon Glover
1st February 2024

LENZING: Austrian fibre manufacturer Lenzing has linked up with French specialist Recyc Leather to combine the former's Tencel-branded lyocell fibres with recycled leather for a new material for Danish fashion brand Ganni.

Called Pélinova, the new material is created by hydro-jetting pre-consumer recycled leather fibers into Tencel fibres which are themselves produced through a closed-loop production process.

The partners claim Pélinova's production involves the use of 70% less water, as well as reduced CO2 emissions, compared to traditional methods. It will first be used for Ganni's 'Slouchy Boots', due to launch early this year.

“The pioneering partnership between Tencel and like-minded companies like Recyc Leather and Ganni is a catalyst to unlocking the power of planet-conscious fabric innovation,” said Florian Heubrandner, executive vice president, global textiles, at Lenzing.

Recyc Leather says it is also exploring the possibility of expanding the fabric application to other leather goods, beyond footwear, including home textiles, furniture, automobile interiors and the luxury sector.

Co-founder Olivier Grammont added: “Our partnership with Lenzing and Ganni demonstrates Pélinova’s potential as a truly sustainable alternative to traditional leather, inspiring us to continue to broaden the application of Pélinova in shaping the future of the leather industry.”

Lauren Bartley, chief sustainability officer at Ganni, a B Corp certified company, commented: “By the end of 2023, we achieved the ambitious goal of phasing out all virgin leather from upcoming collections – making this year our first without producing any virgin leather across both ready-to-wear and accessories collections.

“However, the work doesn’t stop here. Collaborating and experimenting with partners like Tencel and Recyc Leather on new fabric innovations to develop alternatives to materials as we know them today, is crucial to reaching ambitious carbon reduction goals like Ganni’s.”

Ganni also sees potential for Pélinova in accessories. The three companies are continuing to develop the material and say they have future developments in the pipeline which could breing it closer to scale production.

Lenzing, Recyc Leather and Ganni will feature in a panel discussion at Première Vision Paris (6th-8th February) to share their experiences on how companies can unite to use more responsibly produced recycled materials.

Courtesy: Ecotextile.com