The objective of the collaboration is to develop a technology for the large-scale industrial production of an innovative and sustainable cellulose-based material for industrial and personal care applications. The technology will provide an alternative to petroleum-based materials in nonwoven products with raw materials based on renewable wood fiber.
Collaboration of two technology leaders in renewable fibers
The product is based on lyocell technology in which a solution of cellulose is processed directly and without intermediate process steps into a nonwoven fabric.
Lenzing, the leader in lyocell technology, is the only commercial global supplier of lyocell fibers. The company brings over twenty years of expertise in the development of this environmentally sustainable technology to create cellulose products from the renewable raw material wood. The company has a strong intellectual property portfolio in lyocell technology and the brand name TENCEL® stands for excellence in lyocell fiber production.
Weyerhaeuser is a global forest products company that grows and harvests trees, builds homes and applies technology to cellulose to create innovative, sustainable products essential to everyday living. The company has an extensive intellectual property portfolio in forestry, wood products and cellulose fibers. Its focus on technology and innovation has resulted in the introduction of a number of new cellulose-based products such as Peach®pulp. Weyerhaeuser has invented and patented unique technology to form nonwoven materials. This technology is based on the extrusion of a cellulose solution through a multi-hole nozzle to directly form lyocell nonwoven material.
The new collaboration combines the expertise of these two innovative companies in an ideal manner. Both companies are dedicated to expanding the range of applications for renewable resources and both are committed to the principles of sustainability.
WEYERHAEUSER COMPANY
Weyerhaeuser, one of the world’s largest forest products companies, was incorporated in 1900. It has offices or operations in 13
countries, with customers worldwide.
Weyerhaeuser is principally engaged in the growing and harvesting of timber; the manufacture, distribution and sale of forest
products; and real estate construction, development and related activities. Additional information about Weyerhaeuser’s businesses,
products and practices is available at www.weyerhaeuser.com.
Key Figures 2007:
Sales: USD 16.3 bill.
Employees: 37,900