Lenzing Unveils The New Potential Of TENCEL™ Lyocell Fibers As Fossil-Free Alternative Material For Stretch Fabrics
Image By Courtesy of LENZING
January 17, 2024 : Lenzing – Lenzing Group, a leading global producer of wood-based specialty fibers, announces a new processing technique of TENCEL™ branded lyocell fibers tailored to create stretch fabrics that enhances comfort of the wearer.
Lenzing’s latest innovative processing technique for wood-based TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers is tailored for stretch fabrics with enhanced recovery properties
Stretch fabrics using TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers are easy to care for, offering enhanced comfort and endless design possibilities for lightweight apparel
Lenzing extends comprehensive fabric development support to assist mill partners in attaining the “BS EN 14704-1” standard for stretch fabrics made using TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers
This solution offers a fossil-free alternative that delivers exceptional stretch and recovery properties while adhering to responsible production methods.
Fabric Innovation Features Enhanced Stretch, Comfort And Easy-To-Care Properties
Lenzing’s new processing technique involves re-engineering woven fabric composed of TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers coupled with a fabric pre-treatment.
During the wet process, TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers undergo significant swelling in diameter, leading to increased yarn crimps in the widthwise direction.
This translates into a fabric that can stretch with enhanced recovery[1] and does not shrink or wrinkle easily, maintaining a smooth appearance even after home laundering[2].
“Our technical innovation unlocks the inherent potential of TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers for producing stretch fabrics that move in harmony with the body. This enhances comfort with easy-to-care properties, making it ideal for lightweight apparel,” said Rex Mok, Vice President of Fiber Technical Marketing and Development at Lenzing. “We are committed to fostering responsible production practices[3] through innovations in the textile sector and are delighted to share this latest innovative development with our fabric mill partners. Together, we are taking a significant stride towards reduced usage of fossil-based materials within the textile value chain while ensuring comfort and material performance.”
Empowering Partners In Their Journey Towards A More Sustainable Future
To take a step further, Lenzing extends its comprehensive support at the fabric development level to mill partners.
The stretch fabrics made using TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers meet the international standard for fabric stretch and recovery properties.
The collaboration with Lenzing will enable mills and brands to unleash unlimited design possibilities while addressing the growing consumer demand for comfortable apparel produced responsibly, particularly in sectors such as sportswear, athleisure garments, loungewear, and home textiles.
A fossil-free alternative to conventional synthetic materials, TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers used in the stretch fabrics are derived from controlled or certified wood sources and made from a resource-saving closed-loop production process.
Additionally, the fibers are identifiable in end products and traceable back to their sources, ensuring greater accountability and transparency in the supply chain.
About Lenzing
For our partners in the textile and nonwoven industry, Lenzing’s cellulose and fibers are their starting point to value creation.
Together with our customers we develop solutions that add value to their businesses and products.
Our relationships, however, expand even further: from B2B to B2C. With consumers’ needs and perspectives in mind, we cooperate with renown fashion brands.
While adding value to their business, we ourselves are increasingly acknowledged as a premium consumer brand.
It’s a long way from the forest to the product in the shop.
Turning cellulose fiber into a luxuriously soft blouse on a boutique rack or a smart sports outfit with perfect thermal regulation involves numerous stages and specialists. More often than not, these stages and specialists are rather disconnected.
This is where Lenzing plays a key role by doing much more than supplying fibers. All our business customers—spinners, weavers, mills, dye works and converters, but also fashion brands and retailers—highly regard us as their committed, reliable partner because we understand their needs, share insights and think ahead together.
