Naturally Advanced Technologies Inc. (NAT), Vancouver, Canada, and Lenzing AG, Austria, have signed a joint development agreement under which the two companies will evaluate the blending of NAT's enzymatically processed CRAiLAR® Flax fiber with Lenzing's Tencel® and Lenzing Modal® regenerated cellulosic fibers. Potential applications for any yarns that might be developed include fashion and sport performance.

"With Lenzing, we can now evaluate the opportunity to expand the host fibers with which CRAiLAR can blend to identify new performance attributes, applications and industries," said Ken Barker, CEO, NAT. "This partnership will have applications in industry sectors where polyester fibers have been the norm, in addition to our existing applications as a sustainable complement to cotton."

Lenzing and NAT intend to develop a range of yarns that stress the fibers' sustainability attributes, leverage each fiber's water absorption and wicking properties to offer alternatives to current materials used in athletic and sport performance apparel, and develop a blended yarn featuring Crailar and Lenzing's fibers for women's fashion applications.

May/June 2012