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A strong, silky-soft fibre from certified wood

about
Lyocell / Tencel

TENCEL™ Lyocell is valued for its strength, smoothness, and closed-loop production that recycles solvents

TENCEL™ Lyocell is made from wood pulp sourced from responsibly managed forests, often certified by FSC or PEFC. The fibre is produced using a closed-loop process that recycles over 99% of water and solvents, minimising environmental pollution, though no closed-loop system can maintain perfect efficiency indefinitely.

It’s known for its silky hand-feel, breathability, and biodegradability, performing well across fashion, home textiles, and technical fabric applications.

TENCEL™ is marketed as fully biodegradable and compostable under industrial, home, soil, and marine conditions, with some studies showing roughly 75% biodegradation in 60 days or complete breakdown within 16 weeks under optimal conditions.

Yet real-world performance varies widely, especially when the fibre is blended with synthetic materials, dyed with non-biodegradable substances, or sewn with non-biodegradable trims. Under such circumstances, biodegradability is hindered.

our ranking

TENCEL™ Lyocell is approved

B

Approved

Approved materials may be less expensive than preferred materials, but may not be as ethical or sustainable as Preferred materials in their production. Even when using Approved materials, certain standards and guidelines should be followed to ensure minimising negative impacts.
best sourcing practices
recommended alternatives

How to Source Better

Lyocell / Tencel

Substitutes for

Lyocell / Tencel

We recommend specifying TENCEL™ Lyocell to ensure certified sustainable sourcing and high-quality closed-loop production. Explore TENCEL™ with REFIBRA™ for recycled content, and consider it as a drop-in alternative to generic lyocell, viscose, or bamboo rayon for better traceability and lower environmental impact.

If your team needs support sourcing, talk to us to find out how we can help.

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