What is Lyocell?

Lyocell is a form of rayon, consisting of cellulose fiber made from dissolving pulp (bleached wood pulp). It was developed as an environmentally friendly alternative to viscose. The most famous brand name for Lyocell is TENCEL™ (owned by Lenzing AG in Austria).

1. The Raw Material: Wood

Lyocell is primarily sourced from Eucalyptus, Birch, or Oak trees.

  • Sustainability: These trees grow quickly on land that is unsuitable for food crops and require very little water or pesticides compared to cotton.
  • Certification: High-quality Lyocell uses wood from certified sustainably managed forests (FSC or PEFC) to ensure no ancient or endangered forests are cut down.

2. The Closed-Loop Process

The defining feature of Lyocell production is its "closed-loop" solvent spinning process.

  • The Solvent: The wood pulp is dissolved in a non-toxic organic solvent (NMMO).
  • Recovery: Unlike the viscose process which releases toxic carbon disulfide, the Lyocell process recovers and reuses 99% of the solvent and water. It is one of the cleanest industrial processes in the textile world.

3. The Performance (Softness & Strength)

Lyocell combines the best properties of natural and synthetic fibers.

  • Feel: It is incredibly soft, often described as feeling like "cool milk" or silk against the skin.
  • Breathability: It is more absorbent than cotton, wicking moisture efficiently to keep the body cool.
  • Hygiene: Due to its moisture management, bacterial growth is significantly reduced (up to 2000 times less than on synthetic fibers), reducing odor.

4. Biodegradability

Because it is derived from nature (wood cellulose), Lyocell is compostable and biodegradable in soil and marine conditions. If a 100% Lyocell garment is buried, it will return to nature completely within a few months.

Conclusion

Lyocell represents a breakthrough in sustainable textiles. By combining a renewable raw material (wood) with a low-impact manufacturing process, it offers a luxurious, high-performance fabric that is gentle on both the skin and the planet.