The Lenzing Group, the globally leading supplier of sustainably produced specialty fibres, has welcomed the issuance of the guidelines for the implementation of the Single-Use Plastics Directive (EU) 2019/904, which took effect on 5 June 2019.
The EU Commission, in these guidelines, specifies which products fall within the scope of the directive, thereby providing clarity in the joint fight of the EU member states against environmental pollution from plastic waste.
Lenzing’s wood-based, biodegradable cellulosic fibres such as those of the VEOCEL™ brand comprise a sustainable and innovative solution to this man-made problem.
Substantiating further, Robert van de Kerkhof, Member of the Managing Board of the Lenzing Group, says “Pollution of the environment – especially marine pollution – is one of the biggest problems of our time. For this reason, we welcome the measures taken by the EU to reduce certain single-use plastic products and the transition to closed-loop models.”
He also added “Lenzing has been investing in the development of sustainable and innovative solutions for the textile and nonwovens industry for many years and will also continue in the future to intensively work on achieving systemic change towards a circular economy.”
Lenzing’s ambitious sustainability targets make it a trailblazer in manufacturing industry, especially the fibre segment.
Notably, its significant investments in developing sustainable innovations and implementing climate objectives focusing on carbon neutrality not only strengthen the company’s market position and increase shareholder value but also continuously create new jobs.
The Commission implementing regulation (EU) 2020/2151 applying to the Single-Use Plastics Directive stipulate uniform labelling requirements for some of the single-use plastic products on the packaging or the product itself, starting on 3 July 2021.
“The issue of hygiene is becoming increasingly important and is especially the order of the day in the light of the prevailing epidemic conditions,” states Jürgen Eizinger, Vice President Global Nonwovens Business at Lenzing.
Jürgen adds “Lenzing‘s VEOCEL™ fibres already offer a natural solution today for the problem of global plastic waste, and the company is continually expanding its capacities for wood-based specialty fibres as a means of promoting the development of sustainable wipes and hygiene products.”
Even before the implementation of the Single-Use Plastics Directive, Lenzing already gives consumers clear guidance in their purchasing decisions. Products bearing the VEOCEL™ brand logo on their packaging are produced in line with stringent certification criteria.
Consequently, consumers can be assured that the products contain biodegradable, cellulosic materials.
On the basis of its environmental initiative #ItsInOurHands, Lenzing has been supporting a movement since the end of 2019 in collaboration with its partners to create enhanced awareness and transparency for materials used in wipes.
Founded in 1938, Lenzing produces wood-based viscose fibres, modal fibres, lyocell fibres and filament yarns, which are used in the textile industry as well as in the nonwovens industry.
