So, you’ve found yourself on thrae.com.au only to wonder, what is this Tencel Lyocell fabric we’re talking about??

Well, we’re here to fill you in on the benefits of this modern day wonder fabric.

Tencel Lyocell is a form or Rayon. Rayon is a fibre made from natural sources of regenerated cellulose such as wood. Other forms of Rayon use the viscose process, which uses sodium hydroxide and carbon disulphide as the dissolving agents to break down the cellulose material (bamboo, pine, birch etc) and turn it into pulp. These chemicals are toxic to workers and the environment.

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_disulfide)

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_hydroxide)

Lyocell uses an organic, non-toxic compound called N-Methylmorpholine N-Oxide (NMMO) to break down the cellulose material into pulp which is also recycled between uses to save on organic compound usage and water wastage. NMMO also biodegrades without producing harmful by-products.

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N-Methylmorpholine_N-oxide)

Tencel was created with environmental concerns in mind, with the creators wanting to find a less damaging method of producing Rayon than the more common viscose method. It is a biodegradable product, made from the earth (wood) and eventually being able to return to the earth.

The viscose method of producing fabric has the following environmental concerns:

Deforestation: Some wood using the viscose method does not come from certified sustainably grown forests. This has a negative effect on the local ecosystems and can decimate large natural forests.

thrae’s Tencel Lyocell fabric is created from FSC & PEFC certified forestry sites.

Toxic Chemicals: As explained previously, the use of toxic chemicals in the viscose method pollutes the air and waterways around the manufacturing sites and damages the health of the workers in the manufacturing sites.

thrae’s Tencel Lyocell fabric uses non-toxic NMMO to break down cellulose material used in producing fabric.

Water Wastage: The viscose method uses a lot of water in the process of turning trees into fabric.

In the process of creating Tencel Lyocell fibres, 99.7% of the water and solvent used in production is recycled for the next use.

Austrian company Lenzing AG (thrae’s Tencel lyocell producer) are currently the largest Tencel producer in the world, generating 130,000 tons of Tencel fabric per year. 

So, what does it feel like?

Viscose in particular was originally created as a silk substitute as it was cheaper to produce and had a similar feel to much more expensive silk products. Tencel Lyocell has a very silky feel to start and then over time, will soften into a beautiful cotton like feel. It is lightweight and breathable, well suited to warmer climates and hot sleepers. It has the added benefit of being absorbent which is great for night sweating, whilst not trapping heat at the same time. It drapes nicely over your bed and body and has a lustrous sheen which can be the perfect addition to any modern day bedroom décor.