Tencel: an eco-responsible viscose made from wood that we should all know better

When we talk about sustainable fashion, certain names often come up: recycled wool , organic cotton , recycled polyester , recycled cotton , linen ... But an outsider is gaining ground for good reason: Tencel™ Lyocell . Still relatively unknown to the general public, it combines softness , durability , and a low environmental impact . Whether you're curious, committed, or simply looking for comfortable and responsible clothing, this article is for you.

What is Tencel and how is it made?

Tencel is a man-made fiber belonging to the viscose family . It is made from cellulose , an organic molecule extracted from plants . In the case of Tencel, this cellulose comes primarily from eucalyptus, beech, or birch wood pulp , grown in FSC® or PEFC™ certified forests .

Unlike conventional viscose, which uses highly polluting chemical processes, Tencel is produced using a closed-loop manufacturing process . This system allows for the recovery and reuse of 99% of the solvents (such as NMMO) and the recycling of the water used over several cycles . The fiber is also naturally biodegradable and compostable (provided it is not mixed with other polluting materials or dyes, which may require additional handling).

What are the advantages and disadvantages of Tencel?

Benefits :	Disadvantages :
Ecological : a better alternative to conventional viscose thanks to a clean process and traceable raw material. Comfortable : soft touch, fluid appearance, breathable and hypoallergenic.  Durable : stronger than cotton and viscose. Thermoregulating : keeps you cool in summer, retains heat in winter. Easy to dye : its natural white base color requires less chemical treatment.	Cost : more expensive to produce and therefore to buy than cotton or viscose. Maintenance : although it is robust, it requires gentle maintenance to preserve its quality.

How does Tencel impact the environment?

Tencel ™ Lyocell stands out for its low environmental impact compared to conventional fibers :

• The raw material comes from sustainably managed forests .
  
• The transformation takes place in a closed circuit , with 99% of the solvents and water reused .
  
• The fiber is biodegradable and compostable .
  
• The dye requires fewer chemicals thanks to its natural white color .
  

This system reduces the risks of deforestation , toxic releases into nature and limits overconsumption of water, making it one of the most sustainable artificial fibers available today .

How to care for Tencel textiles?

To preserve its qualities over time:

• Wash at 30°C or in cold water with a mild detergent.
  
• Air drying is recommended.
  
• Iron at medium temperature (if necessary).
  
• Avoid using a tumble dryer , which can damage the fibers and reduce their lifespan.

What types of clothing is Tencel suitable for?

Thanks to its breathable, flexible, soft and resistant properties , Tencel is particularly suitable for these types of clothing:

• 👚 Flexible Tops and T-shirts
  
• 👖 Flowy trousers and shorts
  
• 👗 Lightweight dresses and skirts
  
• 👙 Underwear and sleepwear
  
• 🛏️ Bed linen and duvet covers
  

It is also very well suited to technical or summer clothing thanks to its ability to regulate temperature and wick away moisture .

Tencel vs Ecovero: what are the differences and similarities?

At Lucid, we already use a fiber quite similar to Tencel in our PULSE women's tops : Ecovero. This textile is also extremely soft, fluid, comfortable, biodegradable and has a low environmental impact, but above all, it's also made using a nearly identical process.

• Made from plant cellulose sourced from sustainably managed forests.
  
• Certified supply chains (FSC/PEFC).
  
• Biodegradable and compostable .
  
• Produced by Lenzing , a leading Austrian company.
  

Of course, there are some differences between these two fibers (otherwise they would have the same name). To begin with, the manufacturing process differs because the Ecovero process is less closed and therefore uses more solvents. Ecovero uses a sodium hydroxide-based process, not a non-toxic solvent (NMMO) like Tencel.

Ecovero is often used for garments even lighter and more fluid than Tencel. That's why our tops are often the softest garment people have ever touched.

Ecovero is therefore slightly less appealing than Tencel, which dominates the viscose market in terms of minimal environmental impact, but it remains an excellent alternative to traditional viscose and cotton, offering a still low environmental footprint. We've also written an article about Ecovero ; we encourage you to read it if you're interested!

Conclusion

Tencel ™ Lyocell ticks all the boxes for a modern, eco-friendly, and comfortable textile . It represents a real step forward towards more responsible fashion and offers very interesting technical properties :

• 🌍 Reduced environmental impact
• 💧 Less water consumption
• ❌ No toxic solvents
• 👕 Everyday comfort
• ♻️ Biodegradability at the end of life

In a world where every garment counts, choosing Tencel means supporting a cleaner, more ethical, and future-oriented textile industry . At Lucid, we'll definitely be adding it to our wardrobe very soon.

If you want to see the other pieces we already offer, feel free to browse our collection , and if you want to see our tops in Ecovero , very similar to Tencel, don't hesitate!

Sources:

• Lenzing. (2023). What is TENCEL™ . Retrieved from https://www.lenzing.com/products/tenceltm
• Canopy. (2020). Second independent audit of Lenzing's raw material sourcing reaffirms 'low-risk' status . Consulted on https://canopyplanet.org/news/second-independent-audit-of-lenzings-raw-material-sourcing-re-affirms-low-risk-status
  
• Wedressfair. (2024). TENCEL™ Lyocell . Accessed at https://www.wedressfair.fr/matieres/tencel-lyocell?srsltid=AfmBOoo7bvAx8fSz7IBqP8QsOl8XVZVfcioXig4GjRSM-eJTPpEunS6O
• Good On You. (2023). What Is TENCEL Lyocell? And Is It Sustainable? Accessed at https://goodonyou.eco/how-ethical-is-tencel/