Case study

Wood partners with the world’s largest lyocell fibre manufacturing facility

Global demand for a reduction in plastic use is driving people and businesses to look for alternative fabrics in sustainable, plastic free clothing and hygiene products.

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Wood partners with the world’s largest lyocell fibre manufacturing facility

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Lyocell fibre production facility

The Lenzing Group

Prachinburi, Thailand

Justin Jackson

Senior Vice President, Engineering Projects

Robert S Scheper

Vice President, Discrete Automation

Largest lyocell plant in the world with a production capacity of 100,000 tonnes pa

First plant in Asia to bring state-of-the-art technology to a new fibre process. Facility located approx. 150kms east of Bangkok

Operated in Thailand for 50+ years

Global demand for a reduction in plastic use is driving people and businesses to look for alternative fabrics in sustainable, plastic free clothing and hygiene products.

Lenzing’s lyocell process comprises a state-of-the-art method for producing fibres from wood. Focused on the needs of people around the world, these fibres are used in everyday fabrics including clothing and non-woven applications such as wipes.

Wood is partnering with Lenzing to deliver engineering, procurement and construction management services for an expanded lyocell fibre production facility in Prachinburi, Thailand and was selected as engineering partner based on experience, manpower in the region and a strong reputation for the successful delivery of large-scale capital projects.

The facility, located in Prachinburi approximately 150kms east of Bangkok, will be the largest lyocell plant in the world with a production capacity of 100,000 tonnes per year. By investing €400 million in developing the first production line at the facility, which includes associated infrastructure and site development, Lenzing aim to meet the strong demand for lyocell fibres globally and leverage the growth potential in the Asian market for speciality fibre production.

Lenzing Lyocell Facility

A team of over 4,000 people from Lenzing, Wood and other partners are working on site in Prachinburi, integrating into the local community, bringing economic growth to the area and bolstering job opportunities and local supply chain. On completion of the project, a workforce of 300 local people will run the plant.

Partnering for the future

The project marks the beginning of a strong partnership with the Lenzing Group powered by shared responsibility and ambition to create innovative solutions that will deliver a greener and more resilient world. Wood and Lenzing celebrate individual backgrounds, experiences and expertise.

Being selected to lead a project of this scale and complexity is testament to the outstanding technical capability Wood has in Asia Pacific, and a strong understanding of the local market environment in Thailand where Wood has been operating for over 50 years.

In pursuit of operational excellence, Wood invests the right amount of time and effort in the early stages of a project to complete the necessary set-up and planning activities to be best in class for project delivery and disciplined execution.

Sustainable strategy, processes, and circular economy

Lyocell fibres are made from natural wood and processed with unique resource-conserving technologies.

The biorefinery concept ensures that 100% of wood components are used to produce pulp for fibres, biorefinery products, and bioenergy, thus remaining as CO2 neutral as possible.

Lenzing's fibres and technology use pre- and post-consumer cotton waste and wood from sustainably managed forests as raw material. The cotton material is recycled into a pulp, which is blended with wood pulp to produce a high quality fibre.

Lenzing contributes to the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12, among others, the United Nation’s Responsible Consumption and Production, an assurance to sustainable consumption and production patterns.

Following the plant completion, the first fibres are expected to be produced on site in by the end of 2021.