VEOCEL builds awareness in combating plastic pollution

VEOCEL™, the flagship specialty nonwovens brand of Lenzing Group, highlighted its commitment to innovation and providing solutions to help address the plastic crisis, during the SEA of Solutions 2024 (SoS) event held on September 18 in Bangkok, Thailand.  

An initiative by the UN Environment Programme and the Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (COBSEA), SoS is organized by SEA circular.  Since 2019, it has been a platform for exploring solutions to address plastic pollution. Lenzing's participation builds on longstanding efforts to minimize the reliance on plastics in the nonwovens industry.

On the theme of "Re-designing for a Circular Plastics Economy," Norma Schönherr, Manager of Partnerships for Sustainability at Lenzing AG, Nonwovens, shared VEOCEL™'s best practice examples to "Tackling Microplastics Pollution by Advancing to Cellulosic Fibers." Schönherr emphasized how Lenzing's wood-based^[1] VEOCEL™ fibers can be a responsible, functional alternative to synthetic, plastic-based materials, particularly in personal hygiene and sanitary products.

Biodegradable and compostable^[2], VEOCEL™ fibers do not fall under the plastic definition of the EU's Single-Use Plastics Directive^[3]. In 2021, scientists at the prestigious research institute Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO) at the University of California, San Diego, had confirmed that Lenzing's wood-based cellulosic fibers can fully biodegrade within 30 days in sea-surface and sea-floor conditions, while petroleum-based fibers remained practically unchanged after 200 days^[4].

"At Lenzing, we are deeply committed to working closely with value chain partners to advance sustainable solutions and help the industry progress on its sustainability roadmap," said Monique Buch, Executive Vice President Nonwovens at Lenzing AG on their attendance at the event. "Our participation at UN SoS 2024 underscores our dedication to tackling plastic pollution through collaboration and knowledge sharing among global stakeholders."

The VEOCEL™ product portfolio includes totally chlorine-free lyocell and viscose fibers, as well as high-performance hydrophobic fibers. It is categorized into four branded offerings including VEOCEL™ Beauty, VEOCEL™ Body, VEOCEL™ Intimate and VEOCEL™ Surface and its fibers are used in baby care, beauty and body care, intimate care, and surface cleaning products.

Looking ahead, VEOCEL™ will continue to act as a catalyst for change for the nonwovens industry by expanding their range of low-environmental impact alternatives to synthetic materials that can cover more applications and industries.