Materials
TENCEL™ Lyocell and Modal: origin, feel and care
TENCEL™ Lyocell and Modal sound technical, but they're quickly explained: both fibres are made from wood, or more precisely from its cellulose. They feel smooth and soft, but differ in how they're made and how they're used. Here's the overview.
At a glance
- Lyocell and Modal are cellulose fibres made from wood. TENCEL™ is the brand name of the Austrian manufacturer Lenzing.
- Lyocell drapes fluidly and feels cool and silky; Modal is particularly soft and works well for jersey and sweatshirt fabric.
- Both like a gentle wash at a low temperature and air drying.
What TENCEL™ actually is
TENCEL™ isn't a material in its own right, but a brand. Lenzing sells two fibre types under it: TENCEL™ Lyocell and TENCEL™ Modal. Both belong to the so-called regenerated fibres: the raw material is wood, from which cellulose is dissolved and spun into new fibres. This places them between natural fibres such as cotton and synthetic fibres such as polyester.
How the fibres are made
Lyocell
For Lyocell, wood pulp, for example from eucalyptus, is dissolved in an organic solvent and pressed through fine nozzles to form fibres. According to Lenzing, more than 99 % of the solvent used for TENCEL™ Lyocell is recovered and reused in a closed loop. According to the manufacturer, the wood comes from certified or controlled sources.
Modal
Modal is a further development of viscose. According to Lenzing, TENCEL™ Modal is made mainly from beech wood. The fibre is considered particularly strong, even when wet, and stays soft after many washes.
| Lyocell | Modal | |
|---|---|---|
| Raw material | cellulose from wood, e.g. eucalyptus | cellulose from wood, mainly beech for TENCEL™ Modal |
| Handle | smooth, cool, silky, fluid drape | very soft, supple |
| Typical pieces | tops, T-shirts, skirts, blouses | jersey, sweatshirts, underwear |
| Special feature | absorbs moisture well and releases it again | high strength, stays soft after many washes |
How the fibres feel to wear
The smooth fibre surface makes the difference. Lyocell feels cool and silky on the skin and drapes loosely, which is why a tank top or skirt made from it looks light and flowing. The material absorbs moisture well and releases it again, which feels pleasant on warm days.
Modal is soft and supple rather than cool. Blended with cotton, it makes sweatshirts and hoodies noticeably softer to the touch.
A few examples from the shop:
- The asymmetric tank top is made from 100 % TENCEL™ Lyocell and shows off the fibre's fluid drape.
- The T-shirt in TENCEL™ Lyocell and organic cotton (65 % Lyocell, 35 % organic cotton) combines the smooth handle with the grip of cotton.
- The sweatshirt in organic cotton and Modal contains 40 % Modal for a soft sweatshirt fabric.
You'll find more pieces in the TENCEL™ collection.
Care: wash gently, dry in the air
Cellulose fibres are more delicate when wet than when dry. With a few rules, they'll stay looking good for a long time:
- Wash according to the care label, usually at 30 °C on a delicate cycle.
- Use a mild detergent and skip the fabric softener.
- Dry the pieces flat or on a hanger in the air, not in the tumble dryer.
- If needed, iron at a low temperature, ideally inside out.
You'll find all the details in our care instructions and in the article How to care for your clothes properly.
Certificates and material details
For blends of Lyocell and organic cotton, an organic label refers to the cotton content. The standard that applies to an item is shown on the product page in the "Production" tab. Our Certificates page gives an overview. We introduce other fibres in Natural fibres at a glance.
FAQ
Is TENCEL™ a natural fibre?
Not in the strict sense. The raw material, wood, is natural, but the fibre is produced in an industrial process. That's why it's called a regenerated fibre or cellulose fibre.
What is the difference between Lyocell and viscose?
Both are made from wood cellulose. Lyocell is produced with a different dissolving process than classic viscose and is stronger when wet.
Does Lyocell crease?
Lyocell creases less than linen. Hang pieces up straight after washing and smooth them out, and you'll usually hardly need to iron.
