Partnership merges TENCEL™ Lyocell and naNea co-polyester to redefine sustainable sportswear
Austrian fiber producer Lenzing Group and Swiss materials innovator OceanSafe have unveiled a pioneering partnership aimed at transforming the sportswear and technical textiles market through circular, marine-biodegradable innovation.
The collaboration combines Lenzing’s TENCEL™ Lyocell A100 fibers, made from renewable wood in a closed-loop process, with OceanSafe’s naNea, a Cradle to Cradle Certified® Gold co-polyester that biodegrades safely in marine environments. Together, they have created a next-generation yarn that delivers high performance without environmental compromise.
As a first milestone, the partners launched a sportswear capsule collection—including yoga wear, men’s athleisure tees, and fleece jackets—set to debut at Performance Days in Munich and later at the Functional Fabric Fair in Portland. The products demonstrate that comfort, durability, and functionality can coexist with circularity.
“Factories and brands need sustainable options that don’t compromise on performance,” said Matthias Fuchs, Chief Marketing Officer of OceanSafe. “Making responsible choices should feel like an upgrade, not a compromise.”
The new yarn offers significant sustainability gains: ≥50% lower carbon emissions and water use than generic lyocell, marine biodegradation within 99 days by over 93%, and production powered by 50% renewable energy.
According to Nicole Schram, Head of Global Technical Business Development at Lenzing, the initiative connects “partners from across the value chain” to help brands move away from conventional polyester while maintaining the quality required for activewear.
Beyond apparel, the yarn’s potential spans footwear, home textiles, and technical fabrics, positioning the Lenzing–OceanSafe partnership as a model for scalable, circular innovation where performance and environmental integrity truly align.
