Fiber production is environmentally friendly in comparison to the production of [[modal]] and [[viscose]] that requires environmentally hazardous chemicals. To transform hard wood into lyocell fabric, the cellulose must be separated from other compounds found in the trees. The wood material is dissolved through an intensive chemical processes into a pulp, which is then extruded to form fibres. The solvent used to transform the pulp into fibre is amine oxide (NMMO=N-Methyl-Morpholine-N-Oxide), which is considered non-toxic.
TENCEL® lyocell is the registered brand name for lyocell fibres manufactured by Lenzing in Austria. The TENCEL® lyocell fibre manufacturing process operates as a closed loop system, in which 99.8% of the solvent is recovered, filtered and reused and any remaining emissions are broken down harmlessly in biological wastewater treatment plants.[1, 2, 3]
Lenzing also claims that the trees used as feedstock for TENCEL® lyocell are harvested from sustainably managed farms certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC).4 Lenzing has also confirmed that pulp used for the manufacture of TENCEL® lyocell fibre is supplied from production locations that comply with the EU Timber Regulation.[4, 5]
Since lyocell fibre absorbs and redirects moisture (i.e., sweat) fewer washings may be needed, resulting in water and energy savings as well as reduced wear and tear that occurs with repeated laundering.
The dyeing process for lyocell can significantly reduce water consumption and dye and chemical use due to its good colour absorption.
Depending on the dyes and trims used, lyocell may be biodegradable if disposed of in optimum environmental conditions (exposure to water, air, light).4 Lenzing has reported in a Biodegradability Technical Bulletin that TENCEL® lyocell fibres were found to have degraded completely after 6 weeks when composted.[6]
== Potential impacts ==
==Sources==
1. # Textile Exchange “TENCEL® lyocell From Lenzing” March 20112. # http://www.lenzing.com/sites/botanicprinciples/website/index.htm3. # symposium.lenzing.com/fileadmin/template/pdf/lectures_speakersLCA_Li_shen.pdf4. # Dr. Bianca SCHACHTNER, personal communication, January 14, 2014.5. # ec.europa.eu/environment/forests/timber_regulation.htm6. # Http://www.spuntech.com/files/sertificates/Biodegradability.pdfOTHER: www.lenzing.com/en/fibres/TENCEL® lyocell/TENCEL® lyocellr.html
==External links==