Feedstock
Tencel™ is suggested as being the most sustainable fibre available on the market.
Tencel™ fibre is produced by Austrian company Lenzing and is made from Spruce and Eucalyptus trees that are FSC and PEFC certified.
Tencel uses 3% of the irrigated water conventional cotton requires [1] and emits 83% less carbon dioxide equivalent (gases that contribute to global warming and climate change) into the atmosphere compared to conventional cotton [2].
If you would like to read more on these references, please follow the links below
Manufacturing Process
The Spruce and Eucalyptus trees are debarked and converted into wood chips. The chips enter a digester that contains an organic solvent called N-methyl-morpholine-N-oxide (NMMO). This solution turns the wood chips into a pulp and aids the release of cellulose (the main compound found in plant cell walls). The cellulose is dissolved in a water diluted solution of NMMO to allow the fibre to be extruded. This fibre is spun to create a yarn.
The methodology above is called the Lyocell process and Tencel™ is a brand name. Lenzing recovers and reuses more than 99% of the organic solvent. Plus, they recycle and reuse their water from the process, creating an almost 100% closed loop system.
Recommended for:
- Wash care label ribbon
- Bags
- Pouches
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Certifications
Lenzing Tencel™ fibres are certified to the following
- Forest Management Certification (FSC)
- Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC)
- TUV OK Biodegradable; Soil
- TUV OK Biodegradable; Water
- TUV OK Biodegradable; Marine
- TUV OK Compost; Home
- TUV OK Compost; Industrial
End of Life
At this present time we have not tested any finished products to the same biodegradable or compost standards as Lenzing.
We advise and promote the re-use of our products to help reduce the environmental impact we all have on the planet.
