TENCEL™ x REFIBRA™ Lyocell is the first commercially available chemically recycled cellulosic based fiber. This new fiber uses cotton waste as a cellulose source in addition to sustainably managed wood sources Lenzing is a member of the Circular Fibres Initiative.

Transparency requires that the origin of the textile can be proven unequivocally. In order to assure customers that the fiber contains recycled material, Lenzing has developed a special manufacturing process. This makes it possible to identify the TENCEL™ x REFIBRA™ Lyocell fiber in the finished textile. This guarantees transparency throughout the processing chain.

TENCEL™ x REFIBRA™ Lyocell fiber is registered with the Recycled Claim Standard (RCS). RCS allows for transparent, consistent and comprehensive independent evaluation and verification of recycled material content claims on products.

Unlike mechanically recycled cotton, there is no loss of quality or performance with TENCEL™ x REFIBRA™ Lyocell fibers. It retains the round cross-section, smooth fiber surface, high tensile and tear strength and good chemical resistance of the original TENCEL™ Lyocell fiber.u

Cellulose is the most abundant natural polymer on Earth. Forests convert CO2 into organic material with the help of sunlight (photosynthesis). Wood is therefore recognized as a renewable raw material. In addition, sustainably managed forests provide clean water, fresh air and are home to thousands of animal and plant species.

TENCEL™ x REFIBRA™ Lyocell fibers are produced in facilities that treat wastewater effectively and safely. TENCEL™ Lyocell technology recycles water and thus reduces water use and wastewater generation.

TENCEL™ x REFIBRA™ Lyocell fiber production predominantly uses low carbon fuels such as natural gas and renewable energy such as hydro and biomass energy. The TENCEL™ Lyocell jumbo line manufacturing site is 90% self-sufficient in bio-energy.

'Compostable' products are biodegradable, but with an added benefit that when they break down, they release valuable nutrients into the soil, aiding the growth of trees and plants. TENCEL™ Lyocell is certified as a compostable material. The compostability of Lenzing’s wood-based cellulose fibers has been certified by TUV Austria (formerly Vincotte).

Some natural fibers, and textile supply chains generate water impacts via high water consumption and pollution. Whereas efficient water management schemes implemented by our pulp suppliers in their plantations means no artificial irrigation is necessary to grow the trees.

The cellulose fiber yield from trees grown in managed forests is 50% higher compared to other crops used for textiles, with fast-growing eucalyptus being four times higher. Moreover, land employed for forestry acreage is unsuitable for food production, growing as it does in natural plantations on marginal land. No irrigation or agrochemicals are required for managed forests.

The Lenzing Group operates two commercial-scale pulp bio-refineries achieving 100% wood utilization. The wood bio-refinery operation extracts bio-based chemicals. The bio-refinery concept ensures that 100 percent of wood constituents are used to produce fibers, bio-based chemicals, and bio-energy, thus maximizing value creation from an economic and environmental perspective.

TENCEL™ x REFIBRA™ Lyocell fibers are produced using closed-loop lyocell technology minimizing emissions to water. TENCEL™ x REFIBRA™ fibers use pulp from textile waste scraps up to a share of 30% of its raw material pulp, thus avoids down-cycling and disposal of this waste to landfills. This contributes to circular economy solutions.

Higg MSI score for TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers is several times lower than that for generic viscose and conventional cotton. An LCA of man-made cellulosics concludes that production of TENCEL™ has a low Global Warming Potential score.

TENCEL™ x REFIBRA™ Lyocell fibers are certified as biodegradable in marine environments, thus minimizing marine pollution. TENCEL™ x REFIBRA™ fiber production has low impact on coastal eutrophication and acidity due to no use of dirty coal in fiber manufacturing and resulting emissions, as well as use of state-of-the-art wastewater treatment facilities and closed-loop processing.

The wood, the pulp and the manufacturing sites used for TENCEL™ and TENCEL™ x REFIBRA™ Lyocell fibers have all been awarded FSC certification. FSC is a global, not-for-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of responsible forest management worldwide.

LENZING™ Fibers have been awarded USDA Biobased label, TUV Austria (formerly Vincotte) certifications for compostability/biodegradability plus OEKO-TEX Standard 100 and the European Eco-Label for fiber production.

Production of TENCEL™ and TENCEL™ x REFIBRA™ Lyocell fibers generates zero gaseous emissions due to the environmentally sound production process. All such production avoids the use of coal in the manufacturing process.