Not long ago we wrote about how brands are rethinking the traditional business model when it comes to manufacturing through blockchain. There are many advantages to blockchain, like the potential to erase the more familiar practice of less transparency. As many companies increasingly feel the pressure to change their usual methods, we are witnessing change, and most recently from Austrian fibre producer Lenzing.
Lenzing, one of the largest manufacturers of speciality fibres, has entered the age of digital traceability. It is a change that has allowed them to trace its fibres using blockchain technology. Looking to strengthen their leading position in sustainability, Lenzing has found a way to use blockchain technology to support its TENCELTM branded fibre business. As the world market leader in speciality fibres, the company’s end goal is to ensure complete transparency and traceability for brands and consumers of its fibres in the finished garment.
The Lenzing Group stands for the ecologically responsible production of speciality fibres made from the renewable raw material wood. As an innovation leader, Lenzing is a partner of global textile and nonwoven manufacturers and drives many new technological developments. The Lenzing Group strives for the efficient utilisation and processing of all raw materials and offers solutions to help redirect the textile sector towards a closed- loop economy.
Demanding Transparency and Traceability
Known for developing innovative products along the value chain and creating added value for consumers, Lenzing first evaluated various initiatives before deciding to join the platform of the Hong Kong-based technology company TextileGenesisTM. Stefan Doboczky, Chief Executive Officer of the Lenzing Group, said: “With fibres from the LenzingTM EcoveroTM brand, the Lenzing Group pioneered the physical traceability of its fibres and is now entering the age of digital identification. This milestone of transparency is another strong commitment to sustainability.”
There is no denying that consumers are becoming more conscious when it comes to what they wear. They are making an effort to increasingly try to understand the ingredients and suppliers of the products they buy. They are demanding transparency and traceability from brands. This is why Lenzing has come up with a supply chain transparency designed to enable all customers and partners to identify TENCELTM fibres and the respective wood source in each production and distribution step. Determined to keep things simple, Lenzing has made it easy to trace via a QR code which will be on the final garment. This means that consumers will be able to detect the origin of the clothes they intend to buy.
On their latest innovation, Doboczky shared: “With LENZINGTM ECOVEROTM branded fibres Lenzing was the frontrunner in physical traceability and is now entering the age of digital traceability. This milestone in transparency is a further strong commitment to sustainability”. Adding, “Together with TextileGenesisTM, we aim to create an unmatched level of transparency for brands and consumers. With this step, Lenzing will further help to green up the textile industry.”
Going forward, Lenzing is determined to lead the way in realising new ideas and new perspectives by carrying out several pilot tests over the next few months involving partners along the entire value chain. Lenzing expects the platform to be fully operational as of 2020.
