Austria-based cellulosic fiber producer Lenzing AG has introduced various forms of TENCEL® as sustainable solutions for automotive applications ranging from carpet and seat covers to injection-molded plastic components and nonwoven components and battery separators.

"TENCEL® supports the trend towards more nature in cars and, with its fiber properties, boasts numerous advantages for the automobile sector," said Friedrich Suchomel, automotive project manager, Lenzing. "We started the project five years ago after speaking to all the international car manufacturers to understand their requirements. Sustainability was one of their most important criteria," he continued, noting that Tencel — which is derived from sustainably managed eucalyptus plantations and produced using a physical dissolution process in which nearly all of the solvent is recovered — fulfils those criteria.

According to Lenzing, special textile-grade Tencel fibers are especially appropriate for car seat cover fabrics, in which they can be blended with conventional fibers to enhance moisture-management performance. The company also notes that thick fibers are appropriate for carpets, while powder forms can be incorporated into plastics to provide reinforcement for injection-molded parts, in which its 10-percent fiber elongation — compared with 2-percent elongation offered by glass fiber — enhances impact strength. Other forms can be used in special nonwovens used in electronic applications including separators in condensers for air conditioners and audio equipment; battery separators; and oil and fuel filters.

May 31, 2011