TENCEL™ Branded Fibers Invoking Innovative Solutions With a Heart for People and Nature
Clothing is undoubtedly a crucial piece for anyone who wants to revamp their lifestyle to show more love and care to the planet.
According to a report by Textile Exchange, almost two-thirds of the world’s garments are made from synthetic materials derived from fossil fuels, which take centuries to break down. However, a survey by the SailGP carried out in the U.S., UK and Switzerland shows that 54 percent of the respondents were not conscious of the health or environmental impacts caused by chemicals used in synthetic technical clothing.
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In light of this, while investing in public education, brands are also launching a wider variety of quality products with a focus on environmentally friendly properties, hoping to increase their market exposure and intrigue customers.
One wood-based specialty fiber producer that is supporting the industry and market with responsible production and products is Lenzing [1]. This January, the Austria-headquartered Lenzing unveiled a new processing technique for TENCEL™ branded lyocell fibers, tailored to create stretch fabric alternatives that enhance the wearer’s comfort. The innovative solution involves re-engineering woven fabric composed of TENCEL™ fibers and a fabric pre-treatment. With TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers derived from controlled or certified wood sources [2], this technical innovation offers a planet-friendly solution that delivers exceptional stretch and recovery properties.
“We are excited to launch this new processing technique, which unearths the capability of TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers for producing stretch fabrics that conform to everybody,” said Rex Mok, director of technical marketing and development, global textiles business at Lenzing. “Lenzing has been devoted to inventing products and other offerings that push our industry forward to responsible processes [1] and practices. We hope that this innovative development will allow our fabric mill partners to increase the adoption of responsibly produced ingredients such as TENCEL™ fibers in their products, contributing to creating a greener planet together.”
Lenzing has long been a driving force to propel the textile industry and market toward a circular economy by offering TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers made from a resource-saving, closed loop production process [3].
In 2023, Lenzing teamed with a like-minded textile machinery company for a strategic collaboration. With a mission to boost awareness and widen the application of wood-based cellulosic fibers [2] within the value chain, the project facilitated up to 100 percent adoption of TENCEL™ fibers and filament at full production speed on existing equipment in warp knitting.
Early last year, the TENCEL™ Outdoor Fabric collection curated by Lenzing experts and outdoor fabric innovators was also introduced with an aim to redefine functional outdoor fabrics.
Alongside the outdoor fabric collection, one of Lenzing’s urban outdoor brand partners developed and unveiled an eco-friendly jacket using responsibly produced TENCEL™ fibers [1]. It was not easy to create an outdoor jacket without having plastic as the main ingredient; one of the salient components that made this project happen was TENCEL™ Lyocell fill fibers. The wadding of the jacket was made of 100 percent TENCEL™ Lyocell fill fibers that are fully biodegradable [4].
TENCEL™ branded fibers have been a key to Lenzing’s partners in developing insulating products. Since 2020, a global supplier of innovative technical textiles has joined forces with Lenzing and rolled out new fiber types and products. One of the examples would be the innovative comfortemp® Lyocell padding. With TENCEL™ branded lyocell fibers as a basis, the global technical textile supplier worked with Lenzing to introduce this padding, offering performance comparable to synthetic paddings. The comfortemp® Lyocell padding by TENCEL™ also comes with various properties like warmth, water-repellence, breathability and moisture management, thanks to TENCEL™ branded lyocell fibers.
Moving forward into the rest of 2024, the use of eco-friendly materials is set to continue gaining momentum, following the rising environmental awareness. More international policies and legislations are also being put in place to challenge some centuries-long practices. For example, the EU ban on destruction of unsold textiles. Brands, retailers and customers are expected to slowly but surely alter their production processes, shopping approaches and, by extension, lifestyles.
To learn more about Lenzing’s new processing technique, click here. To learn more about Lenzing, click here.
[1] The responsible production of TENCEL™ Lyocell and Modal fibers uses at least 50 percent less water and emits at least 50 percent less CO2 compared to generic lyocell and modal fibers, according to Higg MSI, thereby saving precious resources for future generations. Results based on LCA standards (ISO 14040/44) and available via Higg MSI (Version 3.7)
[2] The wood used as raw material for all TENCEL™ Lyocell and Modal fibers is sourced from controlled or certified origins meeting FSC® (FSC-C041246) or PEFC (PEFC/06-33-92) standards.
[3] Savings consider solvent recovery.
[4] LENZING™ Lyocell and Modal standard fibers are certified by TÜV Austria as biodegradable in soil, freshwater and marine environments, and compostable under home and industrial conditions.
