The Company: A Legacy of Expertise and Innovation

Kelheim Fibres boasts a long and rich history in the textile industry. With a workforce of approximately 500 employees and an annual capacity of around 80,000 tons of viscose fibres, Kelheim Fibres has evolved into a key player in the market, with specialty fibres accounting for nearly 80 per cent of its offerings. The company’s journey from its beginnings in 1936 to its current status as a global pioneer in specialty fibres is remarkable. While tradition lays the foundation for Kelheim Fibres’ success, it is the company’s forward-thinking approach to innovation that sets it apart.

Over the time, Kelheim Fibres has successfully merged its traditional expertise and know-how with a forward-thinking approach to new future-oriented solutions and has so evolved from a traditional manufacturer of viscose fibres to a cutting-edge specialist that not only supplies specialty fibres but also acts as an innovation partner for the entire textile value chain. This transformation is fuelled by Kelheim Fibres’ unwavering commitment to innovation.

Open Innovation: Empowering Progress Through Collaboration

Gone are the days when product development happened behind closed doors. Kelheim Fibres nurtures its innovation activities through dialogue with customers and stakeholders. By listening to market demands and consumer needs, the company ensures that its solutions address unmet requirements. At the core of Kelheim Fibres’ success lies its embrace of the Open Innovation concept, which fosters collaboration with partners across the industry and pools the expertise of various stakeholders along the value chain, including scientific institutes and creative start-ups.

This collaborative spirit empowers Kelheim Fibres to stay at the forefront of technological advancements and continuously redefine the possibilities of fibre development. Open Innovation enables Kelheim Fibres to swiftly turn innovative ideas into market-ready solutions that effectively meet customers’ needs.

Specialty Fibres for Endless Possibilities

Kelheim Fibres’ specialty fibres exemplify the sustainable and high-performance solutions. These fibres, sourced from renewable raw material wood, are 100 per cent biodegradable, catering to the growing demand for environmentally friendly alternatives to synthetic fibres. They find applications in a diverse range of industries, including hygiene and technical applications, as well as textiles.

For the textile industry, the company’s flagship specialty fibres, VILOFT® and VISETA®, demonstrate Kelheim’s commitment to offering holistic solutions that cater to both the physical and emotional needs of consumers.

VILOFT®: Embracing Comfort and Performance

VILOFT® stands as a testament to comfort in textiles. Its flat fibre cross-section allows yarns containing VILOFT® to enclose up to 69 per cent air, creating a lightweight and breathable wearing sensation. These textiles not only excel in breathability but also surpass cotton fabrics in moisture absorption and thermal insulation performance and are ideal for sportswear, intimate apparel, and loungewear.

VISETA®: A Journey into Luxury

On the other hand, VISETA® boasts a fineness even superior to silk, measuring at 0.9 dtex. When used in textiles, VISETA® crafts luxuriously soft yarns with a dry and silky touch and a graceful drape, making it an ideal choice for elegant and flowing fabrics.

Both VILOFT® and VISETA® find applications in various fashion categories, ranging from comfortable loungewear to luxurious evening wear. Kelheim Fibres also supports its partners throughout the value chain with a comprehensive branding programme that includes free hang tags and other labelling solutions to promote the use of sustainable fibres.

Sustainable Products – Sustainable Manufacturing

Kelheim Fibres is devoted to protecting the environment for future generations by developing sustainable and functional fibres for a healthy lifestyle. Its plant-based fibres, derived from cellulose sourced from renewable wood from sustainably managed and certified sources, boast 100 per cent biodegradability. Kelheim’s fibres are intentionally designed during the production process, allowing customisation of their dimensions, cross-sections, and the incorporation of functional additives to meet specific product requirements. This ensures a unique combination of nature and performance.

With consumer consciousness regarding environmental aspects on the rise, Kelheim Fibres provides a product that aligns perfectly with sustainable demands while delivering high performance and quality.

In response to global megatrends, such as environmental concerns and resource scarcity, Kelheim Fibres continuously explores new technologies and raw materials to further enhance its environmental performance. With investments exceeding €100 million over the past two decades, Kelheim Fibres has bolstered its environmental performance, adhering to strict environmental laws in Germany. The company is also the first viscose fibre manufacturer worldwide to be validated according to Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS), the most demanding system for sustainable environmental management worldwide that was developed by the European Commission.

Transparency and Traceability: Building Trust

Kelheim Fibres’ dedication to transparency and traceability led to a partnership with TextileGenesisTM, leveraging blockchain technology for full traceability from fibre production to the final garment. Consumers can access and verify environmental values and goals on the company’s website, strengthening the trust between the brand and its customers.

A World of Potential

Kelheim Fibres’ journey is an ode to the fusion of tradition and innovation. With a commitment to sustainable solutions and a penchant for creativity, the company is reshaping the textile industry. As consumer awareness of environmental impact intensifies, Kelheim Fibres’ specialty fibres offer a powerful solution that blends nature and performance, catering to the diverse needs of the market and paving the way for a more sustainable and innovative future.