Lyocell - a sustainable vegan fabric
Lyocell is a crease-resistant fabric, is flexible and has a high tensile strength compared to other cellulose fibers.
Lyocell is a 100% vegetable and ecological fabric, although it belongs to the type of semi-synthetic fabrics (processed cellulose fiber). It is basically a type of rayon and is also similar to viscose or satin. Soft, silky and breathable, it is perfect for summer clothes as it keeps you cool and dry. Lyocell fibers regulate the absorption and release of moisture, thanks to which the fabric breathes and supports the body's thermal regulation. In addition, airy lyocell hinders the growth of bacteria and ensures hygiene, making it an ideal fabric for people with sensitive or irritation-prone skin. Lyocell is a crease-resistant fabric, is flexible and has a high tensile strength compared to other cellulose fibers.
Lyocell is very easy to care for as it can be machine washed as a delicate fabric and tumble dried at 60 degrees.
The raw material used to make lyocell is cellulose made from wood pulp, usually eucalyptus, oak and birch. One of the most sustainable brands of lyocell fibers is TENCEL Lyocell produced by the Austrian company Lenzing. TENCEL is made from eucalyptus trees from certified forests. Eucalyptus can grow literally anywhere, even on land unsuitable for food crops. These trees grow quickly and do not need irrigation or pesticides.
All fabrics require the use of chemicals for treatment. However, to produce lyocell, the process can be carried out in a closed loop where chemically contaminated water is recovered and reused. For example, the solvent spinning process used to create TENCEL fibers allows water and solvent to be recycled with a recovery rate of more than 99%. Importantly, if not mixed with other materials, TENCEL is certified as compostable and biodegradable, so it can completely return to nature.
