Naturally Advanced Technologies (NAT) is now working with Lenzing to evaluate the blending of its Crailar flax and hemp fibres with Tencel and Modal cellulosics.

Potential applications for such blends in nonwovens, as well as in apparel end-uses, will be explored by the two companies.

“With Lenzing, we can now evaluate the opportunity to expand the host fibres with which Crailar can blend to identify new performance attributes, applications and industries,” said Ken Barker, NAT’s CEO. “This is truly a new frontier for the future of our natural fibres, and working with the global leader Lenzing creates a very powerful industry platform in both sustainability and performance. This partnership will have applications in industry sectors where polyester fibres have been the norm, in addition to our existing applications as a sustainable complement to cotton.”

The initial intentiobn of the agreement is to create a range of yarns suitable for the fashion and sport performance industries.

NAT supplies its CRAiLAR Flax to HanesBrands, Georgia-Pacific and Brilliant Global Knitwear for commercial use, and to Levi Strauss, Cintas, Carhartt, Ashland, Westex, Target and PVH Corp for evaluation and development.

The company is currently building its first full-scale production facility in Pamplico, South Carolina, and anticipates it will be delivering fibre from the plant in the third quarter of 2012. It will partner with Tintoria Piana and Barnhardt on the processing of the fibre. The company’s current fibre is being produced at its pilot facility in nearby Kingstree, South Carolina.