Tamil Nadu leads the way in promoting sustainable fashion: Lenzing AG

With over 80 years of experience in this space, Lenzing has associations with brands like Zara, H&M and Vero Moda that have created sustainable collections using Tencel.

The Austria-headquartered Lenzing Group (Lenzing AG), with its Indian office in Coimbatore, is a producer of sustainable wood-based viscose, modal and lyocell fibres and filament yarn used in the textile industry. Its fibres have applications in clothing, home and technical textiles, apart from the non-wovens industry. 

The strategic advantages of setting up base in Tamil Nadu are many, according to Avinash Mane, Commercial Head - South Asia, Lenzing Group. He says, “Tamil Nadu makes up for 50 per cent of India’s spinning industry. Also, when it comes to wood based cellulose fibre like viscose, modal and lyocell, more than 70% of the spinners are based out of TN. This helps us create a market not only in India, but also in South Asia. The textile industry is well-routed in TN, which helps us innovate with new products and thus it’s an important hub, from a supply chain perspective.”

With more than 150 bn garments being produced annually, to provide 20 new garments for every per-son on the planet, apparels is the second largest industrial polluter. After a garment is used, it is dis-posed into the environment. Depending on the material, the garment starts decomposing on its own, but it is not biodegradable (synthetic fibre). This generates waste and creates pollution.

Giving us an idea about the market for sustainable fabrics in India, Mane says, “The sustainability movement in the textile space is growing stronger. Retail brands are taking their commitment towards sustainability seriously. In India, sustainability is still in the incipient stage. Brands like HOAD, Future Group and BIBA are promoting sustainability.”

There is steady movement with government and consumers supporting causes like plastic ban. It has already been actioned in Maharashtra and we are expecting the same in Tamil Nadu as well. Mane adds, “Textile chains are looking to join this move by innovating in sustainable fashion. TN is strong in primary customers who convert fibre to yarns. We have strong associations with companies in the yarn space. Textile majors like Pallavaa Group, Super Sales, Laxmi Mills, KG Denim, LS Mills, Ramco Group are a few of our partners. Arvind is one of our strategic long-term partners with.”