What’s Lyocell Fabric? And Is It Really Sustainable? 

Last Updated on February 22, 2024

You could have heard of lyocell material, or seen it on a clothes tag, however what precisely is it? And is it sustainable? Well, compared to polyester it’s.

Most of the garments we put on right this moment are created from polyester, aka plastic. Polyester is created from non-renewable petroleum (crude oil) that’s extracted from the earth unsustainably.    

To create polyester, 70 million barrels of oil are used yearly, and turning this oil into polyester material releases lots of toxins into the setting.    

On high of this, each time polyester items are washed, they shed microplastics into our waterways. An estimated 496,030 polyester microfibers are launched from a 6kg wash – however this will range primarily based on a number of components.    

Recently, a brand new research discovered we might be ingesting 11,000 microplastics per 12 months. Microplastics have been present in our lungs, feces, and even our placentas. While the well being results of this are nonetheless unknown, it might’t be good. 

A great way to cut back microplastic publicity is to change to extra pure fibers in our clothes. Lyocell is a well-liked new material being touted by sustainable manufacturers. Here’s what you could find out about lyocell material and which manufacturers are utilizing it. 

is lyocell synthetic or natural? 

Lyocell is a semi-synthetic fiber that’s made primarily from wooden cellulose, often from eucalyptus timber. It’s generally used as an alternative choice to cotton or silk. 

Lyocell was initially developed by American Enka in 1972, however solely not too long ago did it achieve reputation within the 20^th century. With American Enka, lyocell material solely made it by means of the pilot section of growth earlier than it was deserted. 

It wasn’t till the Eighties when a British firm known as Courtaulds Fibres created a brand new material known as Tencel primarily based on lyocell analysis. The phrases Tencel and lyocell can be utilized interchangeably now as a result of they’re chemically similar. 

Its manufacturing course of does contain some artificial chemical substances, however they’re recycled through the circuit they usually don’t generate by-products. 

how is lyocell made?

1. Wood is damaged down into chips and loaded right into a vat of chemical digesters. This softens them into pulp.
2. This pulp is washed in water and could also be bleached to sanitize it. Next, it’s dried in a sheet, and rolled into spools.
3. These sheets are then damaged into squares and positioned in pressurized and heated vats of amine oxide.
4. Once the cellulose has dissolved into a transparent liquid, it’s filtered and pumped by means of spinnerets.
5. As it goes by means of the spinnerets, cellulose is become lengthy, skinny fibers.
6. The ensuing fibers are immersed in a vat of diluted amine oxide to set, and they’re then washed with demineralized water.
7. The lyocell fibers are then dried, and a lubricant, reminiscent of silicone or cleaning soap, is added.
8. Next they’re carded, which seperates and orders the strands.
9. Lastly, the fibers are reduce and they’re then able to be become an array of merchandise.

is lyocell material? 

Lyocell is an effective material by way of substituting it instead of cotton or silk. It’s clean fibers are a superb selection for folks with delicate pores and skin and it’s mushy to the contact. It’s additionally extra proof against pilling than cotton.  

In phrases of the setting, lyocell is an effective material compared to standard cotton and polyester. The manufacturing course of makes use of much less water and vitality than various materials, like cotton.  

One of the principle producers of lyocel is TENCEL™ Lyocell: Their fibers are produced in a closed loop course of which recovers water and 99.8% of the solvent, which transforms wooden pulp into cellulosic fibers with excessive useful resource effectivity and low environmental influence. 

Additionally, TENCEL™ lyocell is biodegradable and compostable, if it isn’t mixed with any polyester, elastane or nylon materials/components. 

However, you ought to be aware that not all lyocell is created from the identical supplies. Most lyocell is created from eucalyptus timber, whereas others are created from bamboo, oak, birch, or different kinds of wooden. 

Eucalyptus and bamboo are nice selections, as they develop quick, require minimal inputs, and sequester carbon as they develop. Additionally, not like standard cotton, eucalyptus and bamboo don’t require irrigation or pesticides. 

If you possibly can, search for lyocell created from wooden sourced from responsibly managed forests, just like the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification.  

is lyocell higher than cotton? 

Lyocell is healthier than cotton by way of water, land and pesticide utilization.  

Cotton is a water-intensive crop. But chemical substances sprayed on the plant will combine with water runoff. This results in groundwater contamination. To offer you an thought of how water-hungry cotton is, it takes 2,500 liters of water to supply one t-shirt.   

Cotton can be one of many top four genetically modified crops on the earth. It’s thought of the world’s “dirtiest crop” as a result of it requires heavy quantities of poisonous pesticides. These pesticides have poisoned hundreds of cotton farmers, in addition to pollute the setting.   

On high of this, cotton wants greater than 5 instances the land that eucalyptus timber. That’s lots of house that might be utilized in different, much less water-intensive methods.

This being mentioned, when you personal any cotton clothes, don’t toss them out in favor of changing them with lyocell merchandise. The most sustainable factor you are able to do is use what you’ve gotten (and at that time, the assets have already been used up).  

If you’re fascinated with getting a brand new merchandise, select to help manufacturers that make the most of lyocell over standard cotton. However, selecting natural cotton over standard cotton can be a a lot better selection, because it’s grown with out pesticides and with much less water. 

Modal can be one other material you need to think about using, as it’s just like lyocell. Here’s all the pieces you could find out about modal material and the way it’s sustainable. 

which manufacturers use lyocell material? 

Several manufacturers have began to see the potential in lyocell material. Here are the highest sustainable manufacturers which might be using the material. 

So, what do you consider lyocell material? Would you give it a go? Let me know within the feedback.