What is Tencel?

Tencel is actually a brand name, TencelTM which is an Austrian company that produces the lyocell and modal fibres. The Tencel fibre is like rayon or viscose and is very soft and silky. It is available in both fabric and yarn and has a lovely drape. It feels and looks like a luxury fabric.

Tencel is made by dissolving wood pulp which is dried in a process known as spinning and then the lengths of fibre are spun into yarn and fabric.

Is Tencel sustainable? It requires less energy to produce than standard cotton and the production is less chemically intensive than the production of viscose. It is however often dyed but it takes on colour easily and requires less dye than cotton – another positive is that it is white when produced and can therefore be used undyed.

As Tencel is a natural fibre it is biodegradable.

Tencel’s sustainability cred it is also enhanced as the chemical treatment is a closed-loop system meaning the chemicals are recycled time and time again. The wood pulp is also made from sustainably sourced wood.

Although Tencel is not as sustainable as organic linen or organic cotton it is a sustainable option.

‘The Dutch not-for-profit, Made-By, created an environmental benchmark for fibres. It ranked fibres from Class A, for the most sustainable options, to Class E for the least sustainable. Organic linen was ranked Class A, and standard linen Class C. Tencel lyocell was ranked class B.’ (Source: https://ethicalmadeeasy.com)

Discover our lovely range of Tencel fabric and yarn, with both patterns and kits suitable to get you started in exploring this beautiful fibre.