TENCEL™ Lyocell and Modal fibers are a lower-environmental impact1, high-comfort material manufactured by Lenzing.
In the first stage, dissolving wood pulp is produced in a process that is technically advanced to the one used in the paper industry. In the second stage, the pulp is dissolved, and cellulosic fibers are regenerated from the solution into the appropriate fiber shape, length and diameter for textile applications.2
TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers are soft and smooth to touch. They have high tenacity among cellulosic fibers, support a natural dry feeling through moisture control and enable a subtle sheen in fabrics.
In addition to these performance benefits, TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers have a lower environmental impact1 and are made with an innovative closed loop production process. Wood pulp is dissolved and the solution is pumped through spinnerets to form a filament that is cut into staple fibers which are washed, dried, opened and pressed into bales. More than 99.8% of the solvent is recovered and fed back into the loop, resulting in close-to zero wastage.
TENCEL™ Modal fibers help to retain the softness of fabrics even after repeated washing and support a natural dry feeling through effective moisture control.
TENCEL™ Modal fibers are produced in a modified viscose process that uses resource-efficient technology with high recovery rates of chemicals. The cellulose in the Modal process needs to be chemically altered before it is dissolved, filtered, spun and cut into staple fibers. According to the Higg Materials Sustainability Index (MSI) (Version 3.12) by Cascale (formerly the Sustainable Apparel Coalition). TENCEL™ Modal has a significantly lower environmental impact than generic modal.1
TENCEL™ LUXE Lyocell Filament delivers the highest level of fiber uniformity within the TENCEL™ portfolio, designed for smoothness, strength and comfort.
TENCEL™ LUXE Lyocell Filament is derived from certified or controlled wood sources3, and produced in Austria by a resource-saving closed loop process4. During production, the cellulosic solution is extruded through ultra-fine spinnerets to create continuous, parallel filaments.
TENCEL™ LUXE Lyocell Filament yarns contribute to lightweight fabrics with a fluid drape and soft texture, offering versatility across diverse garment designs and a wide range of applications.
Certifications and Recognitions
We develop innovative materials and resource-efficient production processes, supported by recognized certifications and industry awards.
The wood used as raw material for all TENCEL™ Lyocell and Modal fibers is sourced from certified (FSC® (FSC-C041246) or PEFC (PEFC/06-33-92) certification) or controlled wood sources, following the stringent guidelines of the Lenzing Wood and Pulp Policy.
TENCEL™ Lyocell and Modal fiber production processes are designed to maximize resource efficiency and minimize environmental impact. Consequently, carbon emissions and water consumption of TENCEL™ fibers are at least 50% lower compared to generic lyocell and modal fibers, according to Higg MSI.^
for TENCEL™ Lyocell only
TENCEL™ Lyocell is known for its innovative closed loop production process. Wood pulp is transformed into cellulosic fibers, while more than 99.8% of the solvent are recovered and fed back into the loop, resulting in close-to-zero wastage.
According to the Higg Materials Sustainability Index (MSI), TENCEL™ Lyocell has a significantly lower environmental impact than generic lyocell in the categories of abiotic depletion of fossil fuels, global warming, water consumption and eutrophication.^
for TENCEL™ Modal only
The TENCEL™ Modal production process is based on a highly resource-efficient technology with high recovery rates of chemicals.
According to the Higg Materials Sustainability Index (MSI), TENCEL™ Modal has a significantly lower environmental impact than generic modal in the categories of abiotic depletion of fossil fuels, global warming, water consumption and eutrophication.^
Lenzing Sustainability Report 2022 – solvent recovery on page 34
StEP-Up certificate : Lean Management-Leitbetrieb (in German only)
Note : In 2023, Lenzing has been selected as “Lean management leader” by StEP-Up in the fields of “Operational Excellence – Smart Factory – Green Factory”
*Compared to generic (unbranded) lyocell and modal. Results based on LCA standards (ISO 14040/44) and available via the Higg MSI (Version 3.12).
^Results based on LCA standards (ISO 14040/44) and available via Higg MSI (Version 3.12).
TENCEL™ Lyocell and Modal fibers are certified with the widely recognized EU Ecolabel for textile products (license no. AT/016/001). This label is awarded to products that have a reduced environmental impact across multiple stages of the product life cycle. Key criteria for evaluation include production processes limiting the usage of substances harmful to human health or the environment, and minimizing key environmental impacts.
*EU Ecolabel for textile products (license no. AT/016/001)
The wood used as raw material for all TENCEL™ Lyocell and Modal fibers is sourced from certified (FSC® or PEFC certification*) or controlled wood sources, following the stringent guidelines of the Lenzing Wood and Pulp Policy.
For its highly responsible sourcing practices helping to protect ancient and endangered forests, Lenzing has been recognized as one of the best performing companies worldwide in Canopy’s Hot Button Report since 2020.
Note: Certifications are valid only for the referenced TENCEL™ Lyocell and Modal fibers supplied by Lenzing. They must not be presented in a manner that attributes FSC® or PEFC certification to the finished / end product or any component other than the referenced Lenzing fibers.
*FSC® (FSC-C041246) or PEFC (PEFC/06-33-92) certification.
While garments are not intended for disposal via biodegradation or decomposition, recycling potential and other end-of-life considerations are important factors when designing garments.
TENCEL™ Lyocell and Modal^ fibers are biodegradable and compostable. In combination with compatible blending partners, dyes and finishes, TENCEL™ Lyocell and Modal fibers contribute to the biodegradability of textile products.
In detail, TENCEL™ Lyocell and Modal fibers are biodegradable in soil, freshwater and marine environments. Additionally, they are compostable under home and industrial conditions. Since TENCEL™ fibers can fully return to nature, they offer an alternative that does not release microplastics into the environment.
Note: Applicable to markets except the State of California (USA) and France.
TÜV AUSTRIA certificates
*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.
^Tests have been performed on LENZING™ Lyocell and Modal standard fibers and fibers are certified by TÜV AUSTRIA.
for TENCEL™ Lyocell Filament
*LENZING™ Lyocell Filament is certified by TÜV AUSTRIA as biodegradable in soil, freshwater environments, and compostable under home and industrial conditions.
^Tests have been performed on LENZING™ Lyocell Filament is certified by TÜV AUSTRIA.
TENCEL™ Lyocell and Modal fibers are ClimatePartner certified for climate actions. This means that they comply with a 5-step climate action plan according to ClimatePartner certification protocol:
Step 1: Product carbon footprints
The environmental impact of a product can only be improved under the condition that it is assessed with concrete data in the first step. Therefore, the carbon footprint of TENCEL™ fibers is calculated with a cradle-to-customer assessment. This methodology includes all stages of production, from the extraction of raw materials through processing, manufacturing, and transportation to the customer.
Step 2: Reduction targets
Lenzing has set concrete reduction targets as a company to reduce scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions. In the near-term targets, Lenzing commits to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 42% and scope 3 emissions by 25% by 2030 (baseline: 2021). These targets have been scientifically verified and officially approved by the Science-based targets initiative (SBTi).
Step 3: Reduction measures
Lenzing only considers products for ClimatePartner certification for which certain reduction measures have been implemented:
- Energy set-up of the fiber production includes renewable electricity
- An optimized raw material sourcing strategy and supplier engagement regarding scope 3 impact
- Increasing the share of biomass energy
Step 4: Climate projects
Lenzing contributes to certified climate projects to counterbalance as yet unavoidable carbon emissions from fiber production. Lenzing finances these projects in the amount of the unavoidable emissions from TENCEL™ fiber production through the purchase of carbon credits. The projects are regularly audited by independent third parties, providing external carbon reductions and removals, and contribute to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Step 5: Transparency
We transparently communicate all our actions and supported climate projects under Climate-ID page.^
*5-step climate action plan according to ClimatePartner certification: Calculation of GHG emissions, defining CO2 reduction targets, implementing reduction measures, financing climate projects, transparent communication. Details can be found at Climate-ID page.
^Details of ClimatePartner certification, please refer to Climate-ID page.
The complex supply chain of the textile industry, with numerous actors involved, can make it difficult for brands and retailers to be assured that the ingredients they use are genuine. To address this concern, all TENCEL™ Lyocell and Modal fibers are produced with a special identification technology that makes them physically traceable throughout the numerous steps in processing – and even in the final textile product.
Through this technology, brands and retailers can be assured of using authentic TENCEL™ fibers, and can better protect themselves and their customers from counterfeits.
1 TENCEL™ Lyocell and Modal fibers are made with at least 50% less carbon emissions and water consumption compared to generic lyocell and modal. Results based on LCA standards (ISO 14040/44) and available via Higg MSI (Version 3.12)
2 For details, see the public Focus Paper Pulp and Fiber Production.
3 FSC® (FSC-C041246) or PEFC (PEFC/06-33-92) certification.
4 Savings consider solvent recovery.
5 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.
LENZING™ Lyocell Filament is certified by TÜV AUSTRIA as biodegradable in soil, freshwater environments, and compostable under home and industrial conditions.
6 Not applicable to LENZING™ Lyocell LFH, LENZING™ Modal Sun / Color / Black.
7 OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100. (Certification number 74683; test institute OETI). For details refer to: www.oeko-tex.com
8 TENCEL™ Lyocell is known for its innovative closed loop production process. Wood pulp is transformed into cellulosic fibers, while more than 99.8% of the solvent are recovered and fed back into the loop, resulting in close-to-zero wastage. TENCEL™ Modal production process is based on a highly resource-efficient technology with high recovery rates of chemicals. According to the Higg Materials Sustainability Index (MSI), TENCEL™ Lyocell and Modal has a significantly lower environmental impact than generic lyocell and modal in the categories of abiotic depletion of fossil fuels, global warming, water consumption and eutrophication. Results based on LCA standards (ISO 14040/44) and available via Higg MSI (Version 3.12).
About Nature. Future. Us.
At TENCEL™, we weave together the stories of nature and people. The invention of TENCEL™ Lyocell and Modal branded fibers was a historical breakthrough in the production of sustainable materials.1 Since 1938, leading global wood-based fiber manufacturer Lenzing has been researching and innovating from a small town in Austria. This led to the creation of modal in the early 1950s, and further innovations that saw lyocell created in the 1990s in various locations.
TENCEL™ Lyocell and Modal are regenerated cellulosic fibers. They are derived from cellulose, a natural polymer, that is the building block of wood. The wood used as raw material for all TENCEL™ Lyocell and Modal fibers is sourced from controlled or certified origins meeting FSC® or PEFC standards following the stringent guidelines of the Lenzing Wood and Pulp Policy.
Regenerated cellulosic fibers are made using a two-stage process. In the first stage, pulp is produced, in a manner very similar to the production of pulp used in paper industry. In the second stage, pulp is dissolved and cellulosic fibers are regenerated from the solution into a suitable diameter and length. Using different technologies (viscose, modal, lyocell), staple fibers or filaments are produced for use in textile applications.
Transforming cellulose pulp into fibers requires a special quality of pulp, referred to as dissolving wood pulp, which must meet different requirements than those for paper pulp. Among other features, dissolving wood pulp must have a pure cellulose content of over 90 percent, lower impurity levels, be bleached to a specific level of brightness and have a more uniform molecular weight distribution. Lenzing's biorefinery process ensures that 100 percent of wood constituents are used to produce dissolving wood pulp for fiber production, bio-based products, and bioenergy, thereby maximizing value creation from an economic and environmental perspective.
For the second stage, Lenzing uses two different processes to transform pulp cellulose into fibers.
TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers are made with an innovative closed loop production process. Wood pulp is dissolved and the solution is pumped through spinnerets to form a filament that is then washed, dried, opened and pressed into bales. Filaments are cut into staple fibers either before or after washing and drying. More than 99.8% of the solvent is recovered and fed back into the loop, resulting in close-to zero wastage.
TENCEL™ Modal fibers are produced in a modified viscose process that uses resource-efficient technology with high recovery rates of chemicals. The cellulose in the Modal is dissolved, filtered, spun and cut into staple fibers. The final fiber product is regenerated cellulose.
Questions about our product?
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