Tencel Sustainable Clothing

Tencel: The Sustainable Fabric Revolutionizing Clothing

Tencel, a brand name for lyocell and modal fibers, is a sustainable fabric made from wood pulp, primarily sourced from eucalyptus, beech, and spruce trees. It is known for its softness, breathability, and eco-friendly production process. Tencel is used in a variety of clothing items due to its versatile properties:

 

Uses of Tencel in Clothing

Casual Wear: Tencel is commonly used in t-shirts, blouses, and casual dresses because of its soft texture and comfortable feel.

 

Activewear: Its moisture-wicking properties make it ideal for sports bras, leggings, and other activewear.

 

Formal Wear: Tencel's smooth drape and luxurious feel make it suitable for formal dresses, shirts, and suits.

 

Undergarments: The fabric's breathability and softness are perfect for underwear and bras.

 

Sleepwear: Tencel is often used in pajamas and nightgowns due to its comfort and ability to regulate temperature.

 

Bedding: Beyond clothing, Tencel is also popular in bed sheets and pillowcases for its cooling and hypoallergenic properties.

 

Growth Rate and Manufacturing Process

Tencel is derived from trees like eucalyptus, beech, and spruce, which generally grow slower than bamboo. Bamboo is known for its rapid growth rate, making it a highly renewable resource. However, Tencel's production process is highly sustainable and eco-friendly.

 

The manufacturing process of Tencel involves the following steps3:

 

Harvesting Wood Pulp: The wood pulp is sourced from sustainably managed forests.

 

Dissolving Pulp: The wood pulp is dissolved using a non-toxic solvent called N-Methyl morpholine N-oxide (NMMO).

 

Spinning Fibers: The dissolved pulp is spun into fibers in a closed-loop process, where the solvent is recycled and reused, minimizing waste.

 

Washing and Drying: The fibers are then washed and dried, ready to be woven into fabric.

 

This closed-loop process ensures that over 99% of the solvent is recovered and reused, making Tencel a more sustainable choice compared to traditional synthetic fibers.

 

Tencel is praised for its environmental benefits, as it is produced in a closed-loop process that recycles water and solvents, making it a more sustainable choice compared to traditional synthetic fibers.