The Lenzing Group is setting another milestone in the energy transition.
The Austrian fiber manufacturer has commissioned a new photovoltaic (PV) plant with a capacity of 1.3 megawatts peak (MWp), increasing the total capacity of its PV plant park to 8.3 MWp.
The Tencel and Refibra producer has partnered with Austria-based Verbund, one of the largest producers of hydroelectricity in Europe, to expand its photovoltaic capacities.
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Martin Wagner, managing director of Verbund Energy4Business said the partnership with Lenzing is an important step toward a sustainable energy future.
“Together, we are not only shaping energy independence of companies, but also actively contributing to the energy transition. The new photovoltaic system is further proof that we are driving forward the transformation of the energy market through cooperation,” he said.
Lenzing established its first PV plant in 2021. Photovoltaic energy—which converts sunlight into electricity using solar cells—is part of the firm’s commitment to transition to 100 percent renewable energy sources.
In recent years, the company has invested in a diversified energy supply and operates several sustainable energy projects, including three small hydropower plants with a total output of 2.3 MW. In 2023, Lenzing formed an alliance with Austrian electricity producer WLK energy is for the purchase of approximately 13 megawatts of wind power over a 15-year contract.
“To ensure our long-term competitiveness, we are focusing on a sustainable energy mix of biomass, photovoltaics, wind energy, and hydropower. Investments in renewable energies and production that is as energy autonomous as possible are central components of our strategy,” said Christian Skilich, member of the Lenzing Group executive management.
Skilich added that political support through electricity price subsidies plays an important role to achieve the firm’s sustainability and climate goals.
Renewable energy is an important lever to achieving Lenzing’s goals to reduce Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 42 percent as well as its Scope 3 emissions by 25 percent by 2030. Lenzing’s overall commitment is to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across the entire value chain by 2050.
Lenzing updated its climate targets for 2024 to align its commitment to climate protection with the goals of the Paris Agreement to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The company says it is the only producer of regenerated cellulose fibers with a scientifically confirmed net-zero target.
