Lenzing and LUOLAI collaborate to drive sustainable home textile innovation

Mashia Sahejabin February 7, 2024Last Updated: February 14, 2024

0 3 minutes read

Lenzing, the specialist fiber manufacturer, and LUOLAI, China’s leading home textile brand, have announced a first-of-its-kind R&D collaboration to drive fiber and application innovation in the home textile segment.

The collaboration combines the expertise of LUOLAI’s R&D center and Lenjing’s application innovation center. It will provide opportunities for resource sharing, technology exchange, and market cooperation.

This R&D strategic collaboration facilitates resource sharing, technology exchange, and market collaboration, particularly towards the advancement of LUOLAI’s core supersoft technology, while also increasing the use of Lenzing’s planet-friendly materials. Lenzing recognized for TENCEL™ lyocell and model fibers that are certified with the EU Ecolabel for environmental excellence [1], will also be a key component partner of LUOLAI under the collaboration.

“I am delighted to witness the collaboration between LUOLAI and Lenzing,” said Harold Weghorst, Lenzing’s Global Vice President of Marketing and Branding. “Through this partnership of innovation, sustainability, and branding, we can not only develop exceptional solutions that exceed our customers’ expectations, but we can also offer unique and exciting new products.”

Key focuses of collaboration include:

1. Advancement of LUOLAI’s original supersoft technology

2. Increasing the use of planet-friendly materials in lensing

3. Co-development of new and innovative home textile products

Already the market leader of home textile products in China, LUOLAI has expanded into a multi-enterprise in R&D, design, production, and sales. At its core is a commitment to meet consumer needs – with comfort and softness at the top of the list. LUOLAI’s partnership with Lenzing is expected to help take this commitment to its next step.

“We have high expectations for this strategic partnership as we believe that Lenzing and LUOLAI will thrive and grow together,” said Rex Mok, Lenzing’s Vice President of Fiber Technical Marketing and Development.

“With Supersoft technology, we hope to reduce the use of softeners in production. Having a shared core belief in being environmentally responsible, we look forward to working with LUOLAI to educate the market and consumers to raise awareness,” Rex Mok added.

Rex Mok further said, “We have high expectations for this strategic partnership as we believe that Lenzing and LUOLAI will thrive and grow together. With Supersoft technology, we hope to reduce the use of softeners in production. Having a shared core belief in being environmentally responsible, we look forward to working with LUOLAI to educate the market and consumers to raise awareness.”

Juliana Lee, Business Development Manager for Lenzing’s Home and Interior Textiles said, “We are confident that our partnership with LUOLAI will help them achieve their goal of optimizing the end-user experience for their customers, providing the natural softness and smooth touch that our fibers, such as TENCEL™ Lyocell.”

“With our expertise and experience in producing specialty fibers across several textile applications, including home and interiors, we believe this partnership is innovative and environmentally responsible.”

This collaboration will focus on incorporating LUOLAI’s Supersoft technology into existing home textile products as well as LUOLAI’s upcoming Autumn/Winter bedding collection.

“The integration of Luolai’s supersoft technology requires fine coordination between all levels of the textile value chain, from materials, processes to the end,” said Dr. Hui Zhang, head of the Luolai Super Soft Research Institute.

“Therefore, as we look to apply new technologies to product categories ranging from bedding to loungewear, Lenzing is expected to be an integral fiber partner. We look forward to our close collaboration to co-create innovative products that are perfect for Supersoft’s positioning, and that provide ultimate convenience for our customers,” Hui Zhang added.

The combined R&D efforts are also expected to support LUOLAI’s expansion into new categories such as baby products, towels, and curtains. To measure the softness of the products, home textile manufacturers have come up with various testing types of equipment, which are set up to measure the softness of the home textile products and for quality control.