Our Eco-friendly material
Tencel is a natural fibre made from wood pulp – usually from eucalyptus, beech, birch and spruce trees. The fibres are formed by pushing the solution through an extruder. Then they can be used to create garments.
Tencel uses chemicals that are less toxic and these are recycled during the production process so there’s minimal waste. For the most part, Tencel also uses wood from trees in sustainably-harvested forests. Generally fibres from natural sources are better for the planet!
Tencel is a great choice for anyone seeking long-lasting garments that retain strength and softness while being earth-friendly.
Although cotton is a natural, biodegradable fibre, it’s also a huge drain on the environment, using tens of thousands of litres of water to create a single pair of jeans. The production of Tencel uses 20% less water than cotton.
Compared to cotton, Tencel tends to wrinkle less, shrink less and feels softer and more breathable.
Tencel is also produced using circular processes in which 99% of the chemicals and solvents used in the process to break down the wood pulp are recovered and recycled with minimal waste and very low emissions. The process received the European Award for the Environment from the EU.
TENCEL™ branded fibres are produced by environmentally responsible processes from the sustainably sourced natural raw material wood. The trademarked fabric is certified biodegradable, from sustainable sources and from botanical origins.
Briefly; Eucalyptus plantations, which are intended for the production of tencel, are not treated with pesticides and herbicides. The manufacturing process of this material is environmentally friendly and closed. This means that in the process of wood processing, no harmful substances are released and, accordingly, they do not enter the environment. Compared to the production of cotton and viscose, the production of the latest invention is more than a hundred times more environmentally friendly.
Tencel’s green features:
- Botanic origin. It comes from renewable wood resources.
- Low environmental impact during its production process.
- Biodegradability at the end of life.
- Long-lasting softness to have a longer life.
- Good color retention.
TENCEL knitted fabrics qualities
The qualities of the TENCEL automatically enrich the knitted fabrics produced with this type of natural fiber. Some of the most relevant features are:
Gentle on skin: the Tencel fibers are naturally soft to the touch, offering a long lasting comfort to the most sensitive skins, too. Under the microscope, Tencel exhibits a smooth surface which gives fabrics more smooth feel and comfort in comparison to wool or cotton.
Color Retention: the color pigments in the dope-dyed fibers retain a longer lasting color vibrancy and they are less prone to fade even after many washings. Tencel gives sheen to knitted fabrics.
Cloths breathability: Tencel fibers help the body’ automatic regulating properties in managing the moisture levels. Thanks to their natural origins, the fibrils of cellulosic fibers are structured to regulate the absorption or release of moisture, improving the breathability of fabrics and supporting the body’s natural thermal regulation.
From forest to fashion and beyond
The production process starts in forests using wood as raw material. The TENCEL bio-based fibers are produced through an environmentally responsible production process, which follows the steps below:
Forest —> Wood Chips —> Pulp mills —>Tencel Lyoncel Fiber —> Yarn —> Fabrics.
The TENCEL production process is a closed-loop process with high resource efficiency and low environmental impact. The transformation of pulp mills into TENCEL Lyoncel fiber involves solvent-spinning method which recycles water and reuses the solvent itself at a recovery rate of 99%. Moreover the final product is perfectly compostable and biodegradable fibers. Consumers can be sure about their fashion choice, which reduces or mitigates their adverse impact on the environment.