On May 29–30, 2025, Lenzing brought together 185 industry experts at Hong Kong TENCEL™ Day to explore the theme of “innovation, application development, and new technologies”. The expanded two-day format reflected the growing complexity of sustainable textile innovation [1] and the industry’s increasing appetite for collaborative problem-solving.
“This year’s TENCEL™ Day demonstrated something remarkable about our industry’s evolution,” said Rex Mok, Global Director of Technical Marketing & Development and General Manager at Lenzing. “We’re witnessing a fundamental shift from isolated innovation to collaborative technology development. When companies choose to share their breakthrough applications openly, it signals that competitive advantage now comes from advancing the entire ecosystem, not just individual capabilities.”
The event attracted 33 exhibitors from five regions – China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and their offshore operations – creating a comprehensive representation of Asia’s textile innovation landscape. The event welcomed strong VIP presence, with many attending guests extending their engagement across both days.
Event Highlight:
(@//www.youtube.com/embed/YySATMO38KU@)
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Where automotive meets apparel: Technology convergence creates unexpected market opportunities
The centerpiece of TENCEL™ Day was a series of four specialized technology presentations that revealed the expanding boundaries of TENCEL™ fiber applications. DUKK presented insights on phase change material technology for electric vehicle applications, demonstrating how textile solutions are increasingly penetrating automotive markets that have traditionally relied on synthetic materials.
For B2B partners, this convergence represents significant diversification opportunities. Traditional apparel manufacturers are discovering that their TENCEL™ fiber expertise translates directly into automotive interior applications, opening revenue streams in emerging electric vehicle sector. The technology demonstrations showed how existing production capabilities can be adapted for automotive specifications without major capital investment.
Shima Seiki's presentation on digital garment creation showcased on-demand production capabilities that could inspire new approaches to traditional manufacturing timelines and inventory management. The demonstration highlighted how digital design tools are enabling more responsive, sustainable production models that align with circular economy principles. [1] [2]
“What impressed me most about our technology presentations was how they revealed unexpected convergence points,” noted Mok. “When automotive applications meet digital manufacturing, and when yarn innovation connects with laundry technology, we see the true potential of cross-industry collaboration. These aren’t siloed innovations – they’re interconnected solutions addressing shared challenges."
Unlocking efficiency gains: From laboratory innovations to consumer benefits
Dezhou Huayuan shared insights on integrated development approaches spanning yarn to fabric creation, while Jeanologia introduced innovative laundry and dyeing techniques that significantly reduce environmental impact while maintaining product quality. For consumer-facing brands, these innovations translate into tangible customer benefits: garments that maintain their appearance longer, require less frequent washing, and deliver superior comfort performance.
Regional excellence drives global innovation momentum
Vincent Hu, Senior Commercial Director for Textiles China at Lenzing, led extensive market insights discussions with attending partners, emphasizing regional trends shaping sustainable textile adoption [1]. His sessions highlighted how Asian markets are driving global innovation in sustainable fiber applications while addressing specific regional manufacturing challenges.
The newly renovated Application Innovation Centre (AIC) served as both venue and showcase, demonstrating TENCEL™ fiber versatility across diverse daily-life applications. The refreshed facility illustrated how technical fibers transition from laboratory concepts to consumer products, providing tangible examples of innovation translation across the value chain.
For brands seeking differentiation in competitive markets, the AIC revealed specific applications where TENCEL™ fibers deliver measurable performance advantages. Our attending partners identified opportunities to enhance product lines with features that strike a balance between cost-efficiency and growing consumer demand for sustainable alternatives. [3]
Transforming challenges into collaborative advantages
Discussions throughout TENCEL™ Day revealed that current business uncertainties are driving increased demand for collaborative innovation platforms. Our guests noted that traditional competitive dynamics are evolving toward knowledge-sharing partnerships as companies recognize that individual capabilities alone cannot address complex sustainability challenges. [1]
“TENCEL™ Day validates something we’ve long believed at Lenzing – that sustainable innovation thrives through partnership, [1]” concluded Mok. “When we create spaces for genuine knowledge exchange, we discover that our collective capabilities can address challenges that seemed insurmountable individually. This collaborative spirit isn’t just changing how we innovate; it’s helping to shape the future of our industry.”
Looking ahead, Lenzing will continue hosting TENCEL Day and other collaborative platforms that foster innovation among value chain partners. [1] [2]
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[1] To foster a sustainable global textile and nonwovens industry, Lenzing follows three strategic principles within the context of its “Naturally Positive” sustainability strategy, which focuses on greening the value chain, advancing the circular economy, and collaborating for systemic change with key industry stakeholders, such as Textile Exchange, Cascale, Canopy, Together for Sustainability, Renewable Carbon Initiative, and UN Global Compact.
[2] Lenzing – Focus Paper on Sustainability Strategy “Naturally Positive”, April 2024.
[3] TENCEL™ Lyocell and Modal fibers are made with at least 50% less carbon emissions and water consumption compared to generic lyocell and modal. The results were calculated according to LCA standards (ISO 14040/44) and are made available via the Higg Materials Sustainability Index (MSI) v3.10 (April 2025) by Cascale (formerly Sustainable Apparel Coalition).
