Lenzing Pushes Fiber Innovation Forward with Tencel 2.2
Tencel lyocell as become a cornerstone of summer denim, prized for its breathability and softness. The Lenzing fiber is central to DL1961's DL Ultimate collection of soft denim. It's part of Lee's new performance-driven collection for men called Lee X. It's also featured in Pepe Jeans' collegiate-inspired summer tops and bottoms.
Despite headwinds in the denim market, the maker of Refibra continues to drive innovation, building on its acclaimed technologies to meet evolving consumer demands.
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In April, Lenzing rolled Tencel 2.2, a denser and coarser variant of traditional Tencel with less luster and a drier hand. Comparable to linen, Tencel 2.2 is a price and quality solution for denim mills working to navigate linen's price fluctuations and overcome inefficiency as linen can be difficult to control. In April, Lenzing showed fabrics using the new fiber in bottom and top weights by Artistic Milliners.
The new fiber is also part of Lenzing's Application Innovation Collection (ALC), a seasonal round up of garments made by mill partners that showcase new ways to use the company's fiber technologies such as Ecovero, Tencel Modal and Indigo Color. Lenzing is seeing exciting applications of Ecovero jacquard, Tencel and pineapple fiber blends and 100 percent Tencel fabrics that are digitally printed.
Here, Kilickan Tuncay, Lenzing's head of global business development – denim, shares insights on fiber innovation, sustainability challenges, and how Tencel and other Lenzing fibers are shaping the future of the industry.
Why did Lenzing launch Tencel 2.2?
Kilickan Tuncay: Linen prices have been high for some time, which prompted our Application Innovation Center to explore how we could achieve a linen-like look and feel using Tencel fibers. Through this research, we found that a blend of Tencel lyocell 2.2 dtex and short staple fibers—ideally recycled cotton—delivered the desired aesthetic and texture.
How is the denim industry responding to Tencel 2.2?
KT: Fiber ramp-ups are generally slow, as it takes time for the industry to become familiar with a new fiber. Typically, mills begin by conducting research and presenting the concept to brands. In turn, brands need to develop the right products and craft clear messages to communicate the value to the end consumer. Currently, we are in the mill research phase, and the feedback so far has been promising. The market has been stable for quite some time, so innovative stories like this tend to spark curiosity quickly.
What are some examples of unique ways denim brands are using Lenzing fibers in their current products?
KT: Right now, the 'bread and butter' of the market is authentic-looking wide-leg jeans with a soft hand feel. Since this silhouette doesn't require stretch, softness has become the key comfort feature that appeals to consumers—this puts Tencel denim in a leading position. Additionally, growing awareness around durability further supports the use of Tencel fibers, as they contribute to enhanced overall fabric strength.
Several mills are using Lenzing Ecovero in their Fall/Winter 2026-2027 collection. Is demand for the fiber growing? Are there any fiber families that are gaining momentum in the denim market?
KT: Lenzing Ecovero is a viscose fiber produced under stringent sustainability standards. While viscose presents some limitations in denim—particularly around strength retention after intensive laundry processes—it can still be used effectively in denim fabrics when blended in smaller proportions.
There is ongoing interest in next-generation fibers for denim, but under current market conditions, scaling up is challenging. Although inquiries are strong, the path to wider adoption is slow due to strict price constraints and a general reluctance from brands to take risks. Many prefer to stay on the safe side rather than experiment with newer, less familiar options.
Are tariffs and the confusion around affecting how your clients plan for future seasons? Are tariffs forcing Lenzing to make any strategy changes?
KT: The ongoing tariff debate has further intensified an already unpredictable market environment. With conditions changing so rapidly, it's challenging to make firm plans. The best approach is to prepare for every possible scenario—which requires significant effort from every player in the supply chain.
Lenzing is closely monitoring developments region by region and responding with as much agility as possible, given our role as a branded raw material supplier operating on a global scale. While this is certainly not an ideal environment for any company, Lenzing is committed to adapting—just as we have in the face of past challenges.
What is your outlook on the denim market for the remainder of the year?
KT: I believe most companies will remain in survival mode for the second half of the year, with major moves likely being avoided. Businesses will continue to play it safe, focusing primarily on product and price—each company will need to decide which of the two to prioritize.
My hope is that sustainability doesn't slip further down the list of priorities. As an industry, we've made strong commitments in recent years, and it would be unfortunate to see those efforts compromised.
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