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Lenzing ranks among the world's top 6 percent in the industry after receiving an 
"AA" rating. This classification is a further testimony to Lenzing's leading 
role in sustainability. 
 
Analysts Comments/Company Information 
 
Lenzing - The Lenzing Group, the world's leading supplier of wood-based 
specialty fibers, has received further recognition of its performance in 
sustainability. The prestigious rating agency MSCI has upgraded its rating for 
the Lenzing Group from "A" to "AA" as at September 2021. As a result, Lenzing 
ranks among the top 6 percent of companies rated in its peer group. 
 
"We strongly believe that the fiber industry will have to change in order to 
meet the ecological and social demands of the future. The issue of 
sustainability has been firmly anchored in our strategy for many years and is 
fundamental to our commercial success. Lenzing is an absolute pioneer in this 
field and we will continue to be a role model in future", says Thomas Obendrauf, 
Chief Financial Officer of the Lenzing Group. 
 
The upgrade to the MSCI ESG rating will also lead to a reduction in Lenzing's 
interest expense. Lenzing placed a bonded loan worth EUR 500 mn in November 
2019, which is linked to its sustainability performance. In accordance with its 
commitment under the bonded loan placement, the company will donate the full 
amount of the interest expense saved thanks to the rating revision to a project 
it supports. 
 
Zwtl.: Vision of a zero-carbon future 
 
The rating agency MSCI, whose rating determines the interest rate for the bonded 
loan, cited the company's ambitious climate targets, its approach to promoting a 
circular economy and exceptionally good governance structure as the main reasons 
for the upgrade. 
 
Lenzing is actively involved in tackling the problems arising from climate 
change by implementing its science-based targets. In 2019, Lenzing set the 
strategic goal of halving its greenhouse gas emissions per ton of product by 
2030. Its vision for 2050 is to achieve climate neutrality. The implementation 
of two key projects in Brazil and Thailand is an important milestone in this 
process, while the investments in its existing locations in Asia are also 
consistent with Lenzing's decarbonisation targets. 
 
Another milestone in Lenzing's push to implement its ambitious climate and 
sustainability targets is its collaboration with Swedish pulp producer Södra. 
Both of these global market leaders, which have proactively engaged in promoting 
a circular economy in the fashion industry for many years, are pooling their 
resources to drive this issue forward and make a vital contribution to solving 
the problem of global textile waste. 
 
Zwtl.: Platinum status from EcoVadis 
 
Lenzing has received multiple awards for its performance in 2021, especially in 
the field of sustainability. Its rating from EcoVadis with regard to corporate 
social responsibility is particularly outstanding. Having achieved platinum 
status for the first time, Lenzing ranks among the world's top 1 percent of 
companies evaluated based on their approach to the environment, fair working 
conditions and human rights, as well as ethics and sustainable procurement. 
 
The not-for-profit environmental organization Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) 
has also commended Lenzing's efforts to combat climate change once again. The 
listing on CDP's Supplier Engagement Leaderboard is attributable to the 
company's leading role in working with suppliers. 
 
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Further inquiry note: 
Dominic Köfner 
Vice President Corporate Communications & Public Affairs 
Lenzing AG 
Phone: +43 7672 701 2743 
E-mail: media@lenzing.com 
 
end of announcement                         euro adhoc 
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(END) Dow Jones Newswires

October 07, 2021 03:00 ET (07:00 GMT)