The Austria-based Lenzing Group has partnered with Belgium-based UTEXBEL, a vertically integrated textile group and market leader in protective wear and workwear fabrics, to provide uniforms for security personnel of the Belgian Federal Public Service for Justice (FPS Justice) using Tencel branded fibers with Refibra technology and recycled polyester.
With the assistance of Lenzing, UTEXBEL will be able to deliver 80,000 jail staff shirts for FPS Justice security officers utilizing a fabric with Tencel branded lyocell fibers and Refibra technology.
This is a significant achievement for Lenzing since it is the first time Tencel Lyocell fibers with Refibra technology have been utilized to manufacture clothing for the public sector.
Refibra technology, developed by Lenzing, involves upcycling cotton waste from garment manufacture and mixing them with wood pulp to create fresh virgin Tencel Lyocell fibers. Lenzing’s revolutionary fiber identification technology identifies fibers in yarns, fabrics, and finished garments.
According to the business in a news release, this technology offers full traceability of the fiber. It is meant to validate fiber origin, increasing the supply chain transparency of the final product.
Henk Vandendriessche, area manager at UTEXBEL, said that they consider sustainability a fundamental priority and are working on various collaborative initiatives with their partners in sustainable development, quality, and logistics. They’re proud to collaborate with Lenzing, which represents a watershed moment in advocating for sustainability in public procurement as we continue developing, producing, and offering the best yarns and fabrics to meet all needs while respecting the environment and well-being of both workers and end-users.
