Lenzing, Smartfiber AG Expand Production for SeaCell and Smartcel
Austrian fiber maker Lenzing AG—maker of Tencel, Modal and Viloft fibers—will be the exclusive producer of Smartcel and SeaCell, two specialty fibers made from lyocell.
Like Lenzing’s other fiber brands, both Smartcel and SeaCell are man-made cellulosic fibers. Smartcel and SeaCell were developed by Smartfiber AG at Lenzing’s facility in Austria under an ongoing research and development partnership between the two companies. Smartfiber has held the license to develop new lyocell specialty fibers for Lenzing since 2007.
Smartcel and SeaCell are used for home, fashion and medical applications. SeaCell fibers include active substances derived from seaweed. SeaCell has health and skin care properties and protects against free radicals, according to the company. Smartcel is an antibacterial fiber that includes trace element zinc to enable “regenerative skin care and hygiene in textiles,” according to Lenzing.
The Smartfiber plant is being relocated from Rudolstadt, Austria, to Lenzing’s headquarters in Lenzing, Austria. According to the company, the move will provide “significantly better cost structure” and increased production capacity. Smartfiber will continue to oversee sales and marketing of Smartcel and SeaCell.—Alison A. Nieder
