Lenzing, smartfiber Expand Cooperation

Austria-based man-made cellulosic fibers manufacturer Lenzing AG and Germany-based smartfiber AG, developer and marketer of high-tech lyocell specialty fibers including smartcel™ and SeaCell®, have announced an expansion of a cooperation begun in 2007, when Lenzing granted smartfiber a license for the production of new types of lyocell specialty fibers. The two companies have also been working together to develop fabrics and on various research projects.

Going forward, Lenzing will be the exclusive producer of smartcel sensitive — a specialty fiber to which zinc is added to provide regenerative skin care and hygiene in textiles  — and SeaCell — a fiber containing active substances derived from seaweed to promote wellness by nurturing the skin and protecting against free radicals.

The pilot plant now located at smartfiber’s Rudolstadt, Germany, headquarters will be moved to Lenzing’s Upper Austria location in order to speed up commercialization efforts for the fibers, enable a significantly better cost structure and handle the increasing order volume. smartfiber will continue to handle sales and marketing for the two fibers, which have applications in home textiles, fashion and medical textiles.

for more information: www.lenzing.com