Lenzing Group, a global leader in regenerated cellulosic fibres, has partnered with Swiss textile innovator OceanSafe to unveil a next-generation yarn that combines Lenzing’s wood-based Tencel Lyocell A100 fibres with OceanSafe’s ocean-biodegradable co-polyester naNea. This collaboration establishes a new standard for performance and sustainability, delivering advanced functionality with strong environmental responsibility.
The innovative yarn makes its debut at Performance Days Munich on 29–30 October 2025 (Hall A2, Stand T11), showcasing the partners’ shared vision of resource efficiency and circular design. By merging natural and synthetic components that complement one another, this partnership presents a new class of performance textiles capable of replacing conventional synthetics in sportswear, activewear, and related sectors.
As a milestone of the collaboration, Lenzing and OceanSafe have launched a capsule sportswear collection, which includes women’s yoga wear, men’s athleisure T-shirts, and fleece jackets. This range offers a biodegradable alternative to traditional polyester fabrics while maintaining comfort, durability, and moisture control — without requiring extra surface finishing. Lenzing will also display the capsule at the Functional Fabric Fair in Portland (11–13 November 2025, Booth 752).
At the core of the innovation lies a unique material synergy. Tencel Lyocell A100 fibres are made through Lenzing’s closed-loop process, which recovers over 99% of solvents and reduces carbon emissions and water use by more than 50% compared with conventional lyocell. Meanwhile, OceanSafe’s naNea co-polyester, certified Cradle-to-Cradle Gold, biodegrades in marine environments within 99 days and contains no harmful substances or heavy metals. The combination delivers softness, breathability, and durability, while ensuring full recyclability and eliminating microplastic pollution.
Matthias Fuchs, Chief Marketing Officer at OceanSafe, stated:
“Creating this new yarn was about proving that sustainability and performance can go hand in hand. Brands no longer have to compromise between technical function and environmental responsibility — this collaboration offers both, ready for market adoption.”
The collaboration will also be highlighted in Lenzing’s 45-minute panel discussion titled “The Power of Collaboration: Driving Sustainable Innovation Through Strategic Partnerships”, scheduled for 30 October at 2 PM in the Circularity Zone (Hall A2). The panel will feature joint projects with OceanSafe, Hyosung, and Südwolle, demonstrating how Tencel Lyocell A100 serves as a sustainable foundation for fibre blending across the textile industry.
Further innovations to be presented include Hyosung’s blend of A100 with bio-based elastane for high-performance yoga wear and Südwolle’s A100 and fine wool blend for technical base layers. Together, these examples reinforce Lenzing’s role as a driving force of collaborative innovation in the textile value chain.
The capsule collection, co-developed with partners Tearfil, Impetus, Kingwhale, and G-LOFT Premium Insulation, illustrates how expertise from different areas of the value chain can enable truly circular textile solutions. As Nicole Schram, Head of Global Technical Business Development at Lenzing, explained:
“This collection shows what is possible when collaboration drives material innovation — from fibre chemistry to garment performance.”
By integrating renewable wood-based fibres with biodegradable synthetics, Lenzing and OceanSafe are paving the way for a more circular and performance-oriented future for the sports and outdoor industries. The initiative exemplifies how innovation and environmental integrity can combine to transform the textile landscape — not as a compromise, but as a forward-looking solution.