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Lenzing Develops Fossil-free Stretch Fabric With TENCE

• By  Textile Excellence
• January 17, 2024

- Lenzing’s latest innovative processing technique for wood-based TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers is tailored for stretch fabrics with enhanced recovery properties.

- Stretch fabrics using TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers are easy to care for, offering enhanced comfort and endless design possibilities for lightweight apparel.

- Lenzing extends comprehensive fabric development support to assist mill partners in attaining the “BS EN 14704-1” standard for stretch fabrics made using TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers.

- Lenzing Group has developed a new processing technique of TENCEL™ branded lyocell fibers to create stretch fabrics that enhances comfort of the wearer. This solution offers a fossil-free alternative that delivers exceptional stretch and recovery properties adhering to responsible production methods.

Fabric innovation features enhanced stretch, comfort and easy-to-care properties

Lenzing’s new processing technique involves re-engineering woven fabric composed of TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers coupled with a fabric pre-treatment. During the wet process, TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers undergo significant swelling in diameter, leading to increased yarn crimps in the widthwise direction. This translates into a fabric that can stretch with enhanced recovery and does not shrink or wrinkle easily, maintaining a smooth appearance even after home laundering.

“Our technical innovation unlocks the inherent potential of TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers for producing stretch fabrics that move in harmony with the body. This enhances comfort with easy-to-care properties, making it ideal for lightweight apparel,” said Rex Mok, Vice President of Fiber Technical Marketing and Development at Lenzing. “We are committed to fostering responsible production practices through innovations in the textile sector and are delighted to share this latest innovative development with our fabric mill partners. Together, we are taking a significant stride towards reduced usage of fossil-based materials within the textile value chain while ensuring comfort and material performance.”

Empowering partners in their journey towards a more sustainable future

Lenzing to extend its comprehensive support to the partner mills to develop this fabric. The stretch fabrics made using TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers meet the international standard for fabric stretch and recovery properties. The collaboration with Lenzing will enable mills and brands to unleash unlimited design possibilities and address the growing consumer demand for comfortable apparel produced responsibly. A fossil-free alternative to conventional synthetic materials, TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers used in the stretch fabrics are derived from controlled or certified wood sources and made from a resource-saving closed-loop production process. Additionally, the fibers are identifiable in end products and traceable back to their sources, ensuring greater accountability and transparency in the supply chain.

Our technical innovation unlocks the inherent potential of TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers for producing stretch fabrics that move in harmony with the body. This enhances comfort with easy-to-care properties, making it ideal for lightweight apparel.