SAN DIEGO—Koni Corp. and KOJO Worldwide, leading suppliers of soft goods to the hospitality industry, have established a partnership with Lenzing Fibers, Inc. to develop eco-friendly bedding, drapery, bath and spa products for hotel and resort properties. Koni Corp. and KOJO Worldwide have offered products made from organic cotton, bamboo, recycled and recyclable polyester for some time, but will now make available items made from
Lenzing’s Modal and TENCEL fibers, which are 100 percent natural and biodegradable.
Both TENCEL and Lenzing Modal are derived from wood pulp cellulose extracted from trees harvested from sustainable forests. The Lenzing partnership demonstrates Koni Corp. and KOJO Worldwide’s commitment to address global warming, and encourages brands, management and ownership groups to transition to “green” soft goods.
Initial Koni-brand products using Lenzing Modal and TENCEL debuted at the International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant (IH/M&RS) Show taking place in New York City November 8 to 11. The highlighted products include top-of-bed, sheeting, inserts and decorative items made from TENCEL, as well as towels, robes and other Lenzing Modal-based bath products.
Shared Environmental Aspirations
“We are thrilled to be working in tandem with Lenzing to make their amazing fibers available to the hospitality industry,” said Koni Kim, Koni Corp.’s CEO, remarking on the partnership with Austria-based Lenzing Fibers. “The synergy between our companies and the shared desire to lessen our environmental impact will benefit not only our clients, but future generations. We look forward to the great results this partnership will bring.”
In addition to the fibers being produced via a “closed loop” process to minimize waste and conserve resources, Lenzing’s innovative eco fibers possess unique attributes and are engineered to optimize functionality, which benefits the bottom line. For instance, TENCEL is as soft as silk, strong as polyester, cool as linen, warm as wool and is much more absorbent than any cotton.
“We are pleased that Koni Corp. and KOJO Worldwide will be a vehicle to make our fibers available to the hospitality industry,” said Susanne Jary, Ph.D., Lenzing’s head of Home Textiles Business Development and Innovation. “Their clients will be pleased to find that the fibers can be used in all guestroom soft goods, from sheeting and drapery to bath products.”
Koni Corp. is working with major brands to develop an eco-friendly alternative for specified bedding and drapery programs and will announce these products in the coming months.
