· By Undercover Living

What makes TENCEL™ an eco winner?

What’s made from trees and is a shining light in sustainable production? Ok, maybe that wasn’t an easy one. But in case you were wondering, we’re talking about nature’s fabulous fibre - TENCEL™. Developed by the pioneers at Lenzing, it won the European Award for the Environment! So what’s so special about it? Read on and all will be revealed…


1. Closed loop production aka the circular economy
Wood pulp is transformed into TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers with super efficiency yet low environmental impact. Its production recycles water and reuses the solvent at a recovery rate of more than 99%. This means little waste, little impact with no compromise on quality. It’s this very process that received the European Award for the Environment from the European Commission.

 2. Sustainably sourced raw materials
The EU has strong forest management policies, but Lenzing provide a further layer by only sourcing from natural forests and sustainably managed plantations. Ensuring they are all FSC® or PEFC™ certified, only adds to the integrity of TENCEL™. More than half of the wood pulp is produced from Lenzing’s own plants where the yearly volume of wood regrowth, is by 10 million cubic meters higher than the wood quantities harvested per year! Also, did you know, sustainably managed forests absorb more carbon, thus acting as a net sink?

3. Fully biodegradable - for real

From nature it comes and back it will go. TENCEL™ is certified as biodegradable and compostable under industrial, home, soil and marine conditions, thus can fully revert back to nature. It is a truly circular fibre and process, making TENCEL™ such an obvious solution for so many parts of the textile industry.

 For more facts, statistics and info, head to the TENCEL™ website.