The textile industry is constantly developing. Lyocell or Tencel currently appears to be the most important fabric for clothing, household and industry. The many positive qualities seem almost too good to be true. What makes the semi-synthetic fiber made from wood so special and is investing in Lyocell really worth it?
Lyocell: The special features of the plant fiber at a glance
Lyocell is now found in many items of clothing, textiles and bandages. You can usually find Lyocell in stores under the name Tencel, which is a brand name. Below we have put together the special properties that make regenerative cellulose fibers so unique.
What is Lyocell or Tencel?
Lyocell is a semi-synthetic fiber. Although it is made from plants, synthetic substances are also used during production in order to end up with a quality product. Wood serves as the basis for Lyocell or Tencel. Eucalyptus, spruce, pine, birch and beech are mostly used here .
How is Lyocell made?
When producing Lyocell, wood is first shredded. These wood chips are then soaked. This ensures that the pulp comes out of the wood. This pulp is then mixed with water and a dissolving agent and heated under a vacuum. In the next step, the water is removed from the mixture, resulting in a spinning solution. The spinning solution is filtered, pressed and bathed to create fibers.
In the next step, the fibers are washed and dried so that they can be spun into yarn. The Lyocell fibers can then be woven and further processed.
The special thing about the production of Lyocell is that it is a closed cycle. More than 99 percent of the solvents and auxiliary materials used are recovered and can therefore be reused. In addition, no by-products are created during production.
What types of Lyocell are there?
Basically, Lyocell can be differentiated according to fiber thickness. The fiber thickness ranges from 0.9 dtex (very fine) to 15 dtex (very coarse). The unit “dtex” refers to how many grams the fabric weighs per 10,000 meters. Very fine Lyocell fibers weigh 0.9 grams per 10,000 meters.
Depending on the thickness, the fabric is suitable for other uses and products. There are also products made from Lyocell, which are a blend of fabrics. This means that other fibers such as cotton, polyester or viscose have been added in order to benefit from the positive properties of both materials.
What products made from Lyocell are there?
Lyocell can now be found in numerous different textiles. This includes:
- Sports and activewear
- Filling of duvets
- Mattress cover materials
- Duvet covers/bed linen
- underwear
- wrinkle-free shirts and blouses
- Summer clothing (pants, dresses, T-shirts, etc.)
- Dressing materials
- Conveyor belts
Who is Lyocell particularly suitable for?
Due to their many positive properties, Lyocell products are a good choice for most people.
People who are allergic to house dust benefit from bedding made from Lyocell, such as our Lyocell bed linen , as the material is hypoallergenic. You can also wash the duvets at 60 degrees Celsius and tumble dry them. This kills bacteria and reliably removes the feces of house dust mites.
Lyocell/Tencel clothing is ideal in summer. Because the cellulose fibers are breathable, you will sweat less. Lyocell also feels cool and light on the skin.
Is Lyocell really sustainable?
The short answer is yes, Lyocell / Tencel is sustainable. First of all, the textile fiber is 100 percent biodegradable. In contrast, pure synthetic fibers often require 100 years or more to completely decompose. No by-products are produced during production that could pollute the environment.
The production cycle is self-contained. This means that all additives involved, such as solvents, are recovered and can be used again and again. The solvents used are not toxic. This means that if they do end up in the environment, it will not have any negative consequences for people or nature.
The process described above for obtaining regenerative cellulose fibers is much faster than producing pure synthetic fibers. Thanks to the simple, quick processes, production uses less water and less energy!
Sustainable forestry and woods used
Lenzing, the most important manufacturer of Lyocell products available as Tencel, focuses on sustainability. He sources his lyocell fibers from sustainable forestry. Eucalyptus trees are particularly often used. These meet many criteria for environmentally friendly lyocell production: Eucalyptus trees can even thrive in areas that are no longer suitable for growing grain or other food.
They are fast-growing and do not require regular watering or the use of pesticides.
For comparison, cotton requires five times as much area as eucalyptus to produce the same amount of tissue.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of products made from Lyocell?
Each fabric used for textiles has different positive properties. While natural fibers are often better for the skin, synthetic fibers are considered extremely durable. Lyocell also offers you specific advantages and disadvantages, which we have put together for you below.
| Advantages |
|---|
| Depending on the fabric, it can be machine washed and tumble dried at up to 60 degrees |
| durable and tear-resistant |
| good warming and cooling properties, particularly advantageous for bed linen made from Lyocell |
| very comfortable to wear because the fabric is very soft |
| sustainable, vegan alternative to leather, wool and silk |
| Breathable fabric: prevent sweat smell |
| quick-drying, similar to cotton |
| Can be used in a variety of ways through coloring, preparation and further processing |
| Disadvantages |
|---|
| chemical treatment of a plant substance to prevent pilling and preserve color fastness |
| higher price than other products due to high production costs |
Frequently asked questions about Lyocell
What is the difference between Lyocell and Tencel?
In short, there is no difference. While Lyocell is the name of the fabric, Tencel is the brand name under which the market leader Lenzing sells the cellulose fiber. You will therefore often come across the name Tencel in stores when you look for Lyocell.
Is Lyocell elastic?
Lyocell is one of the stretchiest fabrics the market currently has to offer. The material is not only very elastic, it also does not wear out. This means that your Lyocell clothing retains its shape and still stretches smoothly.
How breathable is Lyocell?
The same applies here: Lyocell is one of the most breathable fabrics currently available to us. This is one of the reasons why the fabric is so suitable for sportswear.
Do you sweat with Lyocell?
No, if you wear clothes made of Lyocell or sleep under Lyocell bed linen, you probably won't sweat, or at least sweat a lot less. In addition, with clothing made from Lyocell / Tencel you avoid unpleasant odors forming.
Is Lyocell a microfiber?
Yes, Lyocell is considered a microfiber. The manufacturing process creates a microfiber made of cellulose that combines the above-mentioned positive properties.
What is the best way to wash and care for Lyocell?
When caring for and washing Lyocell, you have to differentiate between pure Lyocell / Tencel and blended fabrics. You can often machine wash blended fabrics at 60 degrees and then put them in the dryer. You should wash pure Lyocell products either by hand or at 30 - 40 degrees on the easy-care program. You can always find out whether you can put your Lyocell products in the dryer and what to pay attention to when washing them from the washing label for each item. When ironing, turn your Lyocell clothing inside out and use low heat.
