Sunday, October 7, 2012

TENCEL RATHER THAN VISCOSE: A GRIPPING YARN (1995)

Tencel is the hope for Courtaulds long term future...

The short history of Lyocell has been littered by patent disputes, postured takeovers and enthusiasm over its potential. Courtaulds sees it as representing the brightest development and hope for its long term future in fibres and that is why they are investing so heavily in it. The company has a declared strategy to concentrate on Lyocell expansion rather than viscose and to this end has marketed the branded clothing fibre Tencel since 1992, and is promoting Lyocell for nonwoven applications. Courtaulds is estimated to be five years ahead of Lenzing with commercial plants for the fibre, but the firm's potential in the markets of the Asia-Pacific may be jeopardised by a possible bid by an east Asian consortium for Lenzing. Neither Courtaulds nor Lenzing have plans to license the technology and Lenzing has no plans to sell the technology until its patents run out early next century.

Williams G., Eur. Chem. News, vol. 64, no. 1682, 4-10 Sept. 1995, p. 22

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