Lyocell Fabric: An Environmentally Friendly Fiber Made From Wood

Lyocell Fabric

Lyocell fabric is a rayon fiber that is made from purified cellulose wood pulp through a closed-looped solvent spinning process. Cellulose is extracted from wood pulp typically sourced from fast growing trees like eucalyptus and bamboo. The wood pulp is processed to filter out lignin and hemi-cellulose compounds leaving only purified cellulose which is dissolved and spun into fibers through an environmentally sustainable process.

The wood pulp is dissolved using a green solvent called N-Methylmorpholine N-oxide (NMMO) that is non-toxic and can be entirely recycled. Once the cellulose is dissolved into a solution, it passes through spinnerets into a warm water bath where the fibers solidify. The solvent is then recovered and recycled back into the manufacturing process resulting in nearly zero waste. This closed-loop production process makes Lyocell Fabric one of the most eco-friendly fabrics.
Properties and Performance of Lyocell Fabric
Some key properties and performance advantages of lyocell fabric include:
- Soft and breathable: Lyocell fabric has a soft, supple handfeel and is highly breathable due to its open fiber structure. This makes it comfortable against the skin.
- Absorbent: Being made of cellulose fibers, lyocell is highly absorbent and quick drying. It can absorb up to 30% of its weight in moisture before feeling wet.
- Durable: Lyocell fibers are durable and hard wearing. They don't pill or fuzz like other cellulosic fabrics and maintain shape after several washes.
- Eco friendly: As mentioned earlier, lyocell has one of the lowest environmental impacts due to its closed-loop production process that recycles solvents and generates nearly zero waste.
- Hypoallergenic: Lyocell fabric is hypoallergenic and less likely to cause allergic reactions as no additional chemicals are used in its manufacturing.
- Easy care: Lyocell is machine washable and retains its strength, luster and shape after repeated washing and wearing. It can be tumble dried and ironed.
Applications and Uses of Lyocell Fabric
Due to its softness, breathability, absorbency and eco-friendly production lyocell fiber has applications across various industries:
- Apparel: Used widely in underwear, activewear, loungewear, socks, linings etc. It provides comfort against the skin.
- Home textiles: Found in sheets, pillowcases, towels for its moisture wicking and quick drying properties. Also used in curtains, upholstery.
- Medical textiles: Made into surgical gowns, masks, wound dressings due to its anti-microbial properties and comfort against skin.
- Industrial fabric: Spun into bags, filters and insulation materials used in construction, packaging, automotive sectors.
- Personal care: Manufactured into wipes,baby diapers,feminine hygiene products that are skin-friendly and eco-friendly.
- Others: Also a material of choice in bags, backpacks, insulation and more due to its environment friendliness.
Sustainability Aspects and Certifications for Lyocell
As lyocell production generates nearly zero waste and fully recycles solvents, it scores very high on sustainability. Some key green attributes are:
- Renewable raw material: Made from annually renewable wood which sequesters carbon from the atmosphere.
- Cradle to Cradle certified: Lyocell fibers are C2C Silver or Gold certified indicating highest standards of sustainability.
- Biodegradable: Lyocell will degrade without any harmful residues if disposed in commercial or municipal composting facilities.
- Low embodied energy: Its manufacturing process requires 40% less energy compared to other rayon production methods.
- LEED compliant: Materials made using lyocell can contribute to achieving LEED credits for recycled content, regional materials.
- EU Ecolabel certified: Indicates it meets strict European Union criteria for minimized environmental impact.
So in summary, lyocell fabric scores high on sustainability aspects due to renewable resources, recyclability, biodegradability, low embodied energy and various environment certifications making it a top eco-friendly option.
Global Market Growth and New Developments
The global market for lyocell fiber is growing steadily at around 6-8% annually due to rising demand for more sustainable textiles. The main regional markets are currently Europe, North America and Asian countries. Some new market developments include:
- Increased domestic production: Countries like India are investing to build local lyocell manufacturing plants reduce transportation emissions.
- New product innovations: Manufacturers are working on value-added innovations like stretch lyocell, microfiber lyocell for different application areas.
- Blend with other fibers: Lyocell is being blended with cotton, linen, rayon etc. to leverage specific properties like softness and reduce costs.
- Expansion to new industries: Lyocell is finding increased usage in nonwoven applications like wipes, filtration as well as construction composites and insulation materials.
- Policy push: Many countries are supporting lyocell and other eco-friendly fibers through procurement programs, R&D funding, subsidies to minimize environment footprint.
So in summary, the global lyocell market is witnessing steady growth momentum driven by sustainability policies, material innovations, expanded applications, local production and blend opportunities.

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