Lenzing, Marchi & Fildi S.p.A, and manufacturing partners unlock premium quality for recycled natural fibers with TENCEL™ Lyocell
⬤ Four prominent Italian textile manufacturers have teamed up with Lenzing to solve the longstanding issue of inconsistent quality in recycled natural fibers. By combining their manufacturing expertise with TENCEL™ Lyocell, they are converting textile waste into high-performance, premium fabrics.
⬤ TENCEL™ Lyocell – LF, LFH, and A100 variants have proven their ability to enhance the feel and functionality of mechanically recycled materials like cotton, wool, and silk.
⬤ Scalable solutions for knitting, weaving, and corespun constructions will be featured at Milano Unica from July 8–10, 2025 (Fiera Milano, Hall 3, Booth A16).
The Lenzing Group, a global leader in regenerated cellulosic fiber solutions, has introduced breakthrough fabric blends that effectively address fashion’s circularity challenges. These innovations focus on maintaining fabric excellence while integrating recycled content. Through close cooperation with Italy’s Marchi & Fildi S.p.A (spinner), Maglificio Maggia (knitter), Destro Fabrics (weaver), and Madiva (knitwear manufacturer), Lenzing has demonstrated how responsibly sourced¹ and resource-efficiently produced² TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers can elevate mechanically recycled fiber blends into reliable and market-ready textile solutions.
By utilizing TENCEL™ Lyocell – LF, LFH, and A100, these collaborations have managed to overcome the typical inconsistencies found in recycled fiber quality, delivering uniformity and softness.
“As brands increasingly commit to incorporating recycled content, they are tirelessly seeking practical solutions that maintain quality standards,” said Carlo Covini, Textile Accounts Manager for Italy/Switzerland at Lenzing. “By combining the inherent qualities and environmental benefits of our TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers with mechanically recycled cotton, silk, and wool, we’re bridging the quality gap that has limited recycled content adoption. This isn’t just a material innovation – it’s a pathway for brands to explore what’s possible in circular fashion while delivering on the premium quality consumers expect.”
Targeted Innovation Through Fiber Selection
Lenzing’s approach includes the use of Micro technology³ to precisely address challenges posed by recycled materials. Low-fibrillating TENCEL™ Lyocell – LF and LFH fibers offer exceptional softness and consistent processing, while non-fibrillating A100 fibers ensure vibrant color and durable performance, particularly in functional textiles and home products. These fibers provide enhanced characteristics when paired with unpredictable recycled inputs.
Applications include high-end knits combining TENCEL™ A100 with recycled silk, wool, or cashmere; multipurpose apparel blends with TENCEL™ LF and recycled cotton; and cutting-edge textiles using Cradle to Cradle-Certified™ ROICA™ V550⁴ elastane, TENCEL™, and recycled fibers.
“This project allows us to take our expertise in mechanical fiber recycling to the next level,” said Alberto Grosso, Business Development Manager at Marchi & Fildi Group. “Exploring new potential applications for recycled fibers in collaboration with internationally recognized companies is a unique opportunity for us to expand our yarn offering with varieties tailored to specific market demands.”
“We are very happy to be involved by Lenzing in its projects since supply chain projects are always the most successful ones; in this case, the chance to use recycled silk together with TENCEL™ is a great opportunity to mix both sustainability and luxury. We really hope the brands will appreciate this project,” explained Giovanna Maggia, Board Director at Maglificio Maggia.Alberto Ottocento, Sales Manager, Destro Fabrics added:
“Destro has an important part to play within this collection and we are committed to using recycled materials, including cotton and poly yarns. Thanks to the collaboration with Lenzing, it allows us to expand our collection, incorporating the recycled TENCEL™ fibers, blended with our recycled cotton, that enables us to offer a softer, more comfortable range of recycled fabrics with a pleasant touch.
”Paola Botta, Production Manager at Madiva, commented: “We are thrilled to be part of this innovative project alongside Lenzing and Marchi & Fildi. We strongly believe in the value of research and sustainable innovation, and being able to contribute our know-how and Italian machinery to the production of cutting-edge yarns is a source of great pride for us.”
Madiva conducted two fabric tests: one combining 70% TENCEL™ Lyocell and 30% recycled cotton, and another with a 50/50 mix. Both, designed for piece dyeing, resulted in compact knits with a final weight of 120 g/m², using yarns with a count of 1/50,000.
Premium Circularity in Practice
The project illustrates that circular materials can achieve excellence without compromise. Blending TENCEL™ Lyocell, derived from sustainably sourced wood⁵, with mechanically recycled natural fibers creates fabrics that deliver environmental responsibility along with performance and sensory appeal⁶ ⁷.
Crucially, it enables scalability: while recycled fiber use has typically been minimal due to quality limits, Lenzing’s approach maintains commercial-grade performance even with recycled content levels between 25% and 50%.
These fabric blends will be presented at Milano Unica from July 8–10, 2025, underlining Lenzing’s commitment to collaborative innovation. The initiative proves that when fiber science meets manufacturing expertise, circular design can scale across a variety of end uses and industries
