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TENCEL™ – the sustainable fibre of the future

Sustainable action includes relying increasingly on innovative and environmentally friendly fibres. TENCEL™ is a fibre of natural origin that is manufactured using a special process. Products made from TENCEL™ are regarded as being particularly environmentally friendly. So what makes TENCEL™ so sustainable?

by CALIDA

29 March 2023 • 4 min reading time

Leaves from tree

The natural fiber for environmentally conscious fashion.

The raw material used for TENCEL™ is wood. The fibre itself is produced in a closed loop, making it especially environmentally friendly. The wood is sourced from sustainable forestry or plantations, so it does not compete with food crops. Water consumption is approximately 20 times lower than for cotton.

The EU presented TENCEL™ MICRO with the European Business Award for the Environment, as the manufacturing process takes place in an almost 100% closed-loop production cycle.

Shirt and boxers from the series

Shirt and boxers from the series "Seaweed Micro"

Functions of TENCEL™

TENCEL™ material has a number of functional properties: the fabric ensures optimum regulation of temperature and moisture levels, dries quickly, reduces body odour and is guaranteed to keep you feeling fresh for longer. And it’s also incredibly silky, soft and gentle on your skin.

Variations of TENCEL™

CALIDA offers two different types of TENCEL™: TENCEL™ Lyocell and TENCEL™ Modal. We’ve outlined the key properties of their fibres below:

TENCEL™ Lyocell

During the manufacture of TENCEL™ Lyocell, the solvents are recovered and reused, which makes the process particularly sustainable. The core properties of TENCEL™ Lyocell are its high strength, moisture control and exceptional gentleness on the skin. TENCEL™ Lyocell is particularly good for those who suffer from allergies, as its moisture-regulating properties make it much more breathable than other fibres.

TENCEL™ Modal

This natural fibre is obtained from naturally growing beech wood through an environmentally responsible integrated pulp-to-fibre process. TENCEL™ Modal is gentle on the skin and known for its exceptional softness. When combined with other fibres, this results in exquisitely soft fabrics that ensure greater wearing comfort. It also boasts superb colour quality and gloss.

Impressed by this sustainable natural fibre? Discover the latest TENCEL™ styles here:


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