Tencel Yarns – find manufacturers and suppliers

Tencel yarn

The term Tencel yarn is the brand name for Lyocell of the textile manufacturer Lenzing AG. This is a regenerated fibre which is industrially produced from cellulose. This synthetic fibre is based on the direct solvent process and is used in the textile industry as well as in technology.

What properties make this yarn so valuable?

Tencel fibre is characterised by high wet and dry strength. Lyocell fibres are softer than silk, smooth, cool, flowing and do not crease easily. The fibres feel very good on the skin. The material is more skin-friendly than wool or cotton. It is practical that fabrics made of Tencel fibre can be washed. The spectrum ranges from 0.9 dtex (fine) to 15 dtex (coarse). 1 dtex means 0.9 g per 10,000 m thread length.

The peach-skin effect is the surface texture of a fabric. Fibrillating Lyocel fibres give the fabric a kind of peach-skin surface. If the texture of the surface is to be different, simply non-fibrillating Tencel fibres are used. The thread appears looser in some places than in others. This gives the yarn a very special structure.

How are Tencel fibres made?

Cellulose is obtained from wood. The crushed cellulose is mixed with N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMNO) and water in a stirrer tank. The water is then partially removed again under increased temperature and vacuum. The cellulose dissolves again in the "pulp" (remaining mass). A spinning solution is formed. The filtered solution is then pressed through spinnerets. The filaments are then precipitated in aqueous NMNO solution and then combined to form fibre cables.

Further processing steps are cutting, crimping, drying, cleaning and finishing depending on the application. This process is much more environmentally friendly than the viscose production process, mainly because of the closed material cycle. Nevertheless, safety measures must be observed here as well (irritation of the eyes).

What is Tencel fiber processed for?

Due to its good properties, the environmentally friendly fibre is used for the production of functional textiles, blouse fabrics, jeans like fabrics, but also nonwovens products (non-woven fabrics) for cosmetics and hygiene articles as well as in the medical sector. Tencel fibres are often blended with viscose, cotton, polyamide or polyester.

The environmental friendliness of Tencel yarn is undisputed

Since the raw material is wood, the Tencel yarn is made of vegan fibres. Microorganisms make these fibres biodegradable. This is possible in soil, compost and sea water and complies with EN 140046 and ISO 14855 standards. Tencel has been certified with the Vincotte seal.

What types of wood are suitable for the production of Tencel yarn?

In principle, almost all types, as all types of wood contain cellulose. Tencel fibres made from bamboo are particularly popular at present, as the structure of this type of wood makes the yarn very soft. Therefore this yarn is very suitable for crocheting and knitting. A special characteristic is the extraordinary durability and the ability to keep the shape of the fabric made of it. Eucalyptus and beech wood are also common resources for the production of Lyocell fibres. This material, especially bamboo fibres, is very suitable for allergy sufferers.

How is the vegan Tencel yarn cleaned?

The material can be washed either by hand or in the machine at 30 C.

What makes Tencel yarns different from others?

Because the fibres are made of cellulose (wood), the yarns and the textiles made from them are also vegan, environmentally friendly, breathable and skin-friendly. If the textiles are no longer needed, they can even be composted. Tencel yarns are easy to process and yet hard-wearing.

Since more and more people have allergies, the compatibility of the fabrics and materials plays a major role. Wool and cotton are also natural products. Nevertheless there are already many customers who react allergic to them. Fabrics made with Tencel yarns, on the other hand, cause hardly any problems. The softness, which even surpasses that of silk, is particularly emphasized.