VEOCEL™ Expands Lyocell Fiber Production to Asia with Thailand Facility Upgrade
VEOCEL™, Lenzing's specialty nonwovens brand, has expanded production capabilities at its facility in Prachinburi, Thailand. The site has begun producing nonwoven-grade lyocell fibers, marking the first such production in Asia. The development is intended to strengthen regional supply and support demand for biodegradable fibers used in nonwovens applications.
The expansion is aimed at strengthening regional supply capabilities. By producing fibers within Asia, the company seeks to provide manufacturers and partners with improved access and shorter lead times. The localized production also reduces the need for intercontinental transportation from Lenzing’s facility in Austria, contributing to lower transport-related emissions.
For more than 25 years, Lenzing has been involved in lyocell fiber production, focusing on innovation and sustainability within the cellulosic fiber segment. The addition of nonwoven-grade fiber production in Thailand extends these capabilities to the Asian market.
“This expansion is a landmark achievement for the VEOCEL™ brand and the broader nonwovens industry in Asia,” said Patricia A. Sargeant, Executive Vice President Nonwovens at Lenzing AG speaking at the launch ceremony on 18th March in Prachinburi. “We are now ideally positioned to serve our valued customers with enhanced speed, stability, and sustainability². We deeply value the partnership we have built so far, yet there is more to come. We believe that true progress is only possible when we move forward together. By offering a robust local supply of biodegradable¹, wood-based lyocell fibers, we are empowering our partners in Asia to meet the consumer demand for environmentally responsible wipes and hygiene products, while significantly reducing the carbon footprint associated with global logistics.”
The Prachinburi facility uses a closed-loop production process designed to optimize resource use and maintain low air and water emissions². The plant also supports Lenzing’s broader climate targets, including a goal of achieving 95 percent biomass energy by 2027 and Scope 1 and 2 carbon neutrality by 2030³.
“Our site in Thailand was built with future growth and our ambitious climate goals in mind,” added Krishna Manda, Global Head of Sustainability for Lenzing Group. “Expanding the facility’s capabilities for VEOCEL™ fibers is a testament to our ongoing investments in sustainable innovation. Once fully commercialized, this capability will play a vital role in transitioning the regional nonwovens industry from fossil-based synthetics to biodegradable, cellulosic alternatives. We look forward to strengthening collaboration as we begin this new chapter together.”
The plant incorporates processes designed to maintain performance standards, including consistency, skin comfort, and sustainability characteristics associated with VEOCEL™ fibers. The expansion aligns local production capabilities with global environmental standards, supporting supply chain development in the region.