Södra and the collaboration partner Lenzing have received the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) Award 2023 in the category International cooperation for their joint achievements in textile recycling and circular economy.

The International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) honors outstanding achievements and merits in the textile sector in two categories: Sustainability & Innovation and International Cooperation. The two companies have collaborated since 2011 to develop wood-based dissolving pulp (textile pulp) and expanded the cooperation with textile recycling in 2021, which has been a crucial contribution to promoting the circular economy in the fashion industry.

"This award is proof of our successful collaboration with Lenzing and our joint ability to develop innovative solutions for a more sustainable future. We look forward to continuing to develop our collaboration and bringing about real change in the textile industry," says Lotta Lyrå, CEO and CEO of Södra.

The OnceMore ^® pulp from Södra (which was further developed in collaboration with Lenzing and Södra) is then used as raw material to produce Lenzing's fibers with REFIBRA™ technology. The OnceMore ^® process makes it possible to process and recycle a blend of cotton and polyester.

Among other things, ITMF has emphasized the joint LIFE TREATS project (Textile recycling in Europe on a large scale), which is supported by an EU grant of 10 million euros within the LIFE 2022 programme. The project aims to build a large-scale textile recycling facility at Södra Cell in Mörrum.

"We are very proud to receive this prestigious award together with our long-term partner Södra. This is recognition of our shared vision to create a circular economy for textiles and reduce the negative impact that the textile industry has on the environment," said Stephan Sielaff, CEO of Lenzing.

For more information on the ITMF Awards 2023, visit the ITMF website.

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