What is TENCEL™ Lyocell?
About TENCEL™ Lyocell
TENCEL™ Lyocell is a registered trademark for lyocell from the textile producer Lenzing Group. It has many good properties and a lower environmental footprint than many comparable materials.
What properties does TENCEL™ Lyocell have?
Originating in nature, all TENCEL™ standard Lyocell fiber types have been certified as biodegradable and compostable under industrial, home, soil and marine conditions, so they can return fully to nature.
TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers are naturally soft to the touch and give lasting comfort. Seen through an electron microscope, TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers have a smooth surface, which gives fabrics a soft feel and ensures comfort for sensitive skin.
Lyocell cellulose fibers have higher moisture uptake than cotton, combined with a smooth fiber surface. This supports the body’s natural temperature regulation and keeps your skin cool and dry. Fabric can also be constructed to give warm, dry properties, as shown by the Alambeta skin sensory test, which finds that TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers can create a warming effect comparable to cotton flannel.
TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers absorb moisture efficiently (measured through moisture uptake testing and Water Retention Value). Compared with polyester and synthetic fabrics, there is less available moisture for bacteria to grow on the fiber surface. TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers therefore provide a less favorable environment for bacterial growth and offer better hygienic properties.
TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers are versatile and stand out for their high tensile strength compared with other cellulose fibers.
Why TENCEL™ Lyocell is a good alternative
TENCEL™ Lyocell fiber is known for a responsible, closed-loop production process that transforms wood pulp into cellulosic fibers with high resource efficiency and low ecological impact. The process recycles process water and reuses the solvent used in spinning, with a recovery rate of more than 99%. That makes for economically viable production, and the process received the European Commission’s technology award for sustainable development. TENCEL™ Lyocell fiber is certified as bio-based by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). In addition, all Lenzing fiber production sites operate in accordance with ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 for certified environmental management and occupational health and safety systems.
TENCEL™ Lyocell fiber is extracted from sustainable wood pulp, harvested from certified and controlled sources under the strict guidelines of Lenzing’s wood and pulp policy. The fibers are also available with FSC® (C041246) or PEFC™ certification on request. Wood and pulp used by the Lenzing Group also comes from sustainably managed forests. TENCEL™ Lyocell fiber holds the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) BioPreferred® designation.
