There can sometimes be some confusion over what lyocell, modal and TENCEL are, and how they relate to each other.
In this guide, we outline the similarities and differences between these fibres, and also provide other relevant information and descriptions of each fibre.
The guide below compliments our other guides about rayon, lyocell and modal, and also about TENCEL & other Lenzing fiber brands.
Summary – Lyocell, Modal & TENCEL
Similarities
Lyocell, modal and TENCEL are all fibres.
In addition to all being fibres, their other main similarities might be the type of fibres they are, and what they are used for:
– They are all cellulose based fibres
– They all tend to have a similar end use/end application in textiles as well (this doesn’t mean they aren’t used in other applications, but, all three are used in the textile industry specifically)
Additionally, they are all semi synthetic type fibres, or regenerated type fibres, as opposed to being fully synthetic fibres, or fully natural fibres.
Differences
There might be two main differences:
– Who produces/manufactures them
– How they are processed and manufactured.
There may also be a range of other differences between these three types of fibres.
We list each of these potential differences in the guide below
More About Lyocell and Modal
Lyocell and modal are both types/forms of rayon.
Specifically, they are rayons processed by either the lyocell process, or the modal process.
There’s fibres may generically be called lyocell and also modal.
A number of different fibre manufacturers have made lyocell or modal fibres in the past.
However, Lenzing is the most prominent producer of lyocell and modal right now.
More About TENCEL, & Lenzing
Lenzing Group (also known as Lenzing AG) owns several fiber brands, and produces their own individual types and variations of fiber products under these brands
These fibers are made with Lenzing’s own processes and practices.
This allows Lenzing to custom develop fibres for specific traits with their end use in mind, but also with sustainability goals, and other goals in mind.
Lenzing fibers tend to be wood cellulose fibers, and have a specific focus on sustainability, eco friendliness, efficient resource use, and other environmental and social criteria (which Lenzing outline on their website)
TENCEL is one of Lenzing’s several fiber brands
So, What Is TENCEL Then?
TENCEL is an individual fiber brand owned by Lenzing Group (Lenzing AG)
Other fiber brands owned by Lenzing right now are LENZING, VEOCEL, and LENZING ECOVERO
The TENCEL fiber brand specifically though includes Lyocell Fibers, Modal Fibers and Lyocell Filaments fibre products
A Clarification About Different Lyocell & Modal Fibre Products, & Different Lyocell & Modal Fibre Product Manufacturers
Definitions and descriptions of lyocell and modal online tend to be generalized definitions and descriptions.
What should be pointed out is that there are different fibre manufacturers/producers that make different lyocell and modal fibre products.
Each individual lyocell or modal fibre product from different lyocell or modal manufacturer/producers will not only have it’s own set of features and traits, but also it’s own sustainability rating and other ratings, depending on how it’s made by the producer/manufacturer.
Lyocell, Modal & TENCEL – Similarities
Types Of Fibres
There’s three to main types of fibres used for textiles.
These are synthetic fibres, natural fibres, regenerated fibres, and cellulose fibres.
Lyocell, modal and TENCEL are all cellulose based fibres.
Lyocell and modal fibres in general are considered as regenerated fibres – fibres that come from a natural cellulose source, but use chemicals or solvents to dissolve the cellulose into a pulp, and may be extruded or spun to be regenerated into a fibre.
Although Lenzing themselves don’t specifically describe their TENCEL fibers as regenerated fibres, their fibres are wood based cellulose fibres that use a solvent spinning process.
End Use/End Application
Lyocell and modal in general, and TENCEL specifically, are all used in textiles.
TENCEL is actually Lenzing’s flagship fiber brand right now for textiles.
Lyocell, Modal & TENCEL – Differences
Who Produces/Manufactures Them
Both lyocell and modal can be made by different fibre producers/manufacturers in different countries.
What this inevitably means is that the different practices and processes used during manufacturing, and the different regulations that different fibre manufacturers are subject to, will lead to a fibre product with different traits, and different environmental and social ratings.
TENCEL Lyocell and Modal fiber products though are obviously only made by Lenzing under the TENCEL fiber brand.
On the TENCEL website, the fibre variations, traits, and sustainability benefits (amongst other information), can be found on the TENCEL fiber products.
How They Are Processed & Manufactured
Lyocell is made by the lyocell process.
Modal is made by the modal process.
In this guide, we explain each of the lyocell and modal processes.
TENCEL is made by Lenzing’s processes, which Lenzing/TENCEL outline on their websites.
Lenzing’s ‘Technologies’ page in particular outlines Lenzing’s own viscose, lyocell and modal processes, and we also summarize those processes in this guide.
Other Potential Differences
Other potential differences between these fibres might include:
– The final set of sustainability benefits of each fibre
Lyocell was developed to be a more eco friendly and less harmful process compared to the viscose process
– Cost
Lyocell may be more expensive than viscose rayon
– Traits of the finished fibre
Read more about the potential traits of each fibre in this guide
Read more about the potential traits of TENCEL fibers specifically in this guide
– The end use or application of each fibre
Read more about the potential end uses of each fibre in this guide
Read more about the potential end uses of TENCEL fibers specifically in this guide
– History of each fibre
wikipedia.org, and the Lenzing ‘History’ page, both outline the chronology and history of when each type of fibre and fibre process was introduced and developed
More About Lyocell and Modal
Lyocell & Modal As Rayons
Lyocell and modal are both types/forms of rayon.
The Lyocell & Modal Processes
Lyocell and modal are rayons processed specifically by either the lyocell process, or the modal process.
We outline the lyocell & modal processes in this guide.
Differences Between Lyocell & Modal
Lyocell was developed to be a more eco friendly and less harmful than viscose process.
But, lyocell is currently more expensive than viscose, and viscose is still used more commonly.
Some of the variables that may differ between lyocell and modal may be that they may each be made with different cellulose sources, be processed with different chemicals or solvents, be spun a different way, be treated a different way after spinning, and may ultimately have a different structure of the fibre or different traits/properties in the finished fibre.
Who Makes Lyocell & Modal
A number of different producers/companies can produce lyocell or modal fibres.
However, Lenzing is the most prominent producer of lyocell and modal right now.
More About TENCEL, & Lenzing
Lenzing Group (also known as Lenzing AG) owns several fiber brands
Each fiber brand includes individual types and variations of fiber products
These fibers are made with Lenzing’s own processes and practices.
This allows Lenzing to custom develop fibres for specific traits with their end use in mind, but also with sustainability goals, and other goals in mind.
Lenzing fibers tend to be wood cellulose fibers, and have a specific focus on sustainability, eco friendliness, efficient resource use, and other environmental and social criteria (which Lenzing outline on their website)
TENCEL is one of Lenzing’s several fiber brands
What Is TENCEL Specifically?
TENCEL is an individual fiber brand owned by Lenzing Group (Lenzing AG)
Other fiber brands owned by Lenzing right now are LENZING, VEOCEL, and LENZING ECOVERO
The TENCEL fiber brand specifically though includes Lyocell Fibers, Modal Fibers and Lyocell Filaments fibre products
From organicclothing.blogs.com:
TENCEL® is the brand name owned by Lenzing Fibers of Austria for a recently improved fabric from a fiber generically called lyocell.
… TENCEL® is just the brand name for a type of lyocell.
… a spokesman for Lenzing Fibers [says] “the blend composition of a fabric must be a minimum of 30% TENCEL® to be able to use the brand name.”
[Lenzing fibres like TENCEL might be described as] “solvent spun fiber[s]” that [keep] the cellulose structure closer to that found in nature
Sustainability Of Lyocell, Modal & TENCEL
Read more about the eco friendliness and sustainability of generic lyocell and modal in this guide.
Read more about the potential sustainability of TENCEL Lyocell, TENCEL Modal & Lenzing fibres in this guide.
Read more about the sustainability features of different Lenzing brand fiber products, including TENCEL fiber products, in this guide.
Sources
1. http://www.madehow.com/Volume-5/Lyocell.html
2. https://organicclothing.blogs.com/my_weblog/2005/11/tencel_sustaina.html
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyocell
4. https://www.tencel.com/general
5. https://www.undershirts.co.uk/blogs/research/viscose-vs-modal-vs-lyocell
6. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180222006209/en/Global-Lyocell-Fiber-Market—Trends-Drivers
7. https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/lyocell-fiber-market
8. http://www.fibersource.com/fiber-products/lyocell-fiber/
9. https://www.lenzing.com/sustainability/production/technologies
10. https://www.lenzing.com/lenzing-group/history
11. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rayon
12. https://www.fibre2fashion.com/industry-article/5169/modal-fibre-to-fabric
13. https://www.masterclass.com/articles/fabric-guide-what-is-modal-fabric
14. https://sewport.com/fabrics-directory/modal-fabric
15. https://sewport.com/fabrics-directory/micromodal-fabric
16. https://www.sustainablejungle.com/sustainable-fashion/what-is-modal-fabric/
17. https://www.lenzing.com/lenzing-group/innovation
18. https://www.lenzing.com/sustainability/partnerships
19. https://organicclothing.blogs.com/my_weblog/2005/11/tencel_sustaina.html
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