Sustainable Fabric you should know: TENCEL™ Lyocell

Discover the remarkable qualities of TENCEL™ Lyocell, a fabric gaining widespread recognition as a sustainable textile. This article is a must-read for those seeking insights into the characteristics of TENCEL™ Lyocell, understanding its unique attributes, and exploring fabrics made from this eco-friendly material.

Characteristics of TENCEL™ – Sustainability at  Core

TENCEL™ Lyocell is increasingly celebrated as a sustainable fabric due to its minimal environmental impact. Here’s why:

Raw Material: Derived from Wood Pulp

TENCEL™ is crafted from wood pulp, specifically sourced from wood scraps generated during lumber milling. These wood scraps hold little value as wood, making them ideal for fiber production. By utilizing this otherwise wasted resource, TENCEL™ significantly reduces its environmental footprint.

Simple Manufacturing Process and Eco-Friendliness

The production process for TENCEL™ Lyocell is straightforward: wood pulp is dissolved in a solvent, shaped into fibers, and transformed into yarn. The solvent used is non-hazardous and can be recycled. Remarkably, TENCEL™ requires only a fraction of the water used in cotton production, further highlighting its eco-friendly nature.

Biodegradability

Given its origin from wood pulp, TENCEL™ is biodegradable. When disposed of, it naturally decomposes and returns to the soil, completing its life cycle in an environmentally friendly manner.

Features of TENCEL™ – Softness and Moisture Absorbency

TENCEL™ offers an array of desirable properties:

Soft Touch and Drapability

The fabric exhibits a luxurious softness and excellent draping characteristics, providing comfort and elegance to the wearer.

Enhanced Moisture Absorbency

Being a cellulose fiber derived from wood pulp, TENCEL™ possesses exceptional moisture-wicking properties. It efficiently absorbs moisture, keeping you feeling fresh and dry.

While TENCEL™ shares similarities with cotton, it may experience occasional shrinkage when exposed to water and show signs of whitening due to friction.

TENCEL™ and Lyocell™: The Same Fiber, Different Names

Interestingly, TENCEL™ and Lyocell refer to the same fiber. However, they were initially trademarked by different companies, namely Cottles and Lenzing, respectively. Following various developments, Lenzing acquired Cottles in 2004, resulting in a single company having two trademarks for the same material. To simplify matters, TENCEL™ is commonly used as the trademark, while LYOCELL serves as the generic name (although this distinction can still be intricate).

Fabrics Made with TENCEL™

13257 50s Lyocell/Cotton Fibrillated Broad

A lightweight, versatile plain weave fabric suitable for any season.

8617 TENCEL 50s Typewriter

A soft and moderately crisp fabric, perfect for lightweight garments.

22422 TENCEL™ Lyocell Fiber/Cotton Twill

This twill material exhibits an elegant sheen, a medium thickness, and a smooth texture, providing a sophisticated touch.

Conclusion

We encourage you to explore TENCEL™ fabrics at ApparelX, where sustainability and quality meet.