Lyocell is a new, regenerated cellulose fiber that has been available on the market since the late 1990s. The majority of lyocell, known under the trade name TENCEL™, now comes from the Austrian manufacturers, the Lenzing Group. Similar to viscose, lyocell is derived from natural cellulose through chemical processing, generating a solution that can be made into endless filament threads and spun into yarn. However, unlike the production of viscose, most chemicals in the lyocell process can be recovered and re-used in a closed-loop manufacturing system and the solvent used (amine oxide) is considered non-toxic. TENCEL™ uses only wood pulp obtained from wood grown and extracted under certified forestry programs, and the new REFIBRA™ technology also enables the cellulose for TENCEL™ lyocell to be obtained from pre-consumer waste cotton (such as offcuts from garment production). The TENCEL™ fibers are compostable and biodegradable under suitable conditions.(1-4)
LYOCELL
