Lenzing has launched a new version of its Lenzing FR protective viscose fibre at last week’s Techtextil North America in Atlanta, which incorporates black dyestuff. The new fibre is said to offer a host of advantages for both the textile industry and wearers of protective clothing. According to the company Lenzing FR Black is the first and only black, flame resistant textile cellulose fibre.

Lenzing says that its Lenzing FR Black fibre innovation can be used in various applications in industrial clothing, wherever long-lasting colours are required. Made from the natural raw material wood, Lenzing FR offers protection from heat stress in a variety of different applications and is made using the Austrian company’s Lenzing Modal process which is said to produce the highest fibre tenacities and allows the incorporated protection to work in a permanent manner.

“The unique advantages of Lenzing FR Black stem from our proprietary processing which influences the tenacity of the yarn. With Lenzing FR Black, the tenacity is retained which creates a longer service life of the textile. Moreover, for the wearer of black Lenzing FR protective clothing, the high light fastness and fastness to perspiration prove to be a particular advantage. Extraordinary high quality is required in protective clothing since the apparel is often called upon to save lives,” the company said at the new product launch.

“Additionally, Lenzing FR Black has an important environmental advantage. Our unique colouring does not create waste water since the colour is directly injected into the spinning mass. No flock or yarn dyeing is required.”