It would seem that everything in the world of textiles has long been invented and only home textile designs can change. But it was not there. Scientists are working to create new environmentally friendly materials that are not only suitable for humans for comfortable operation, but also would not pollute the environment during the production process.
Lyocell can rightfully be called such a material - this is a fiber made from the wood of the medicinal Australian eucalyptus. Tencel® is the brand name under which all lyocell products are manufactured: fabrics, fillers and other products. Tencel is of natural origin and belongs to artificially made materials.
Tencel method and production process
Eucalyptus plantations, which are intended for the production of tencel, are not treated with pesticides and herbicides. The manufacturing process of this material is environmentally friendly and closed. This means that in the process of wood processing, no harmful substances are released and, accordingly, they do not enter the environment. Compared to the production of cotton and viscose, the production of the latest invention is more than a hundred times more environmentally friendly. For inventing so much environmentally friendly material, the developers at the textile company Curtaulds Fibers have been awarded the European Environment Award. The invention of lyocell is recognized as one of the most significant developments in the textile industry.
Eucalyptus trees Wood shavings Cellulose Tencel® fiber
First, eucalyptus wood is crushed to a state of shavings.
Then these shavings, under the influence of organic solvents, are transformed into a homogeneous brown mass - cellulose.
Then, through special shapers, it is passed into containers with natural acids, where the fiber is formed, which is later used as a filler in pillows and blankets;
The next stage is the formation of threads for the production of fabric.
Further, based on the necessary properties that need to be given to the matter, various weaving methods are used.
Tencel fabric what is it? This is a material obtained in an environmentally friendly and harmless way from the cellulose of healing eucalyptus trees, which has unique properties. It is very pleasant to the touch, its softness resembles the touch of silk combined with the softest cotton.
Tencel fabric types:
in appearance and tactile properties - 1.soft, pleasant and delicate like a peach with a rough structure; 2.smooth and shiny like silk;
composition - homogeneous, 100%; with additives - bamboo fiber, cotton or wool;
Tencel fabric properties, pros and cons:
☑ environmental friendliness - eucalyptus cellulose does not undergo harmful chemical treatments at the stage of plant growth, as well as in the production process, the material is completely biodegradable;
☑ enhanced hygroscopicity, which manifests itself in the ability not to accumulate moisture, but to quickly evaporate it from its surface, as a result of which this indicator is 50% better than that of cotton;
☑ pronounced antibacteriality, lack of susceptibility to colonization by pathogens and dust mites;
☑ high air permeability;
☑ the ability of thermoregulation, in winter the fabric warms like wool, and in summer it cools pleasantly like silk;
☑ very pleasant to the touch;
☑ high strength both in wet and dry conditions;
☑ the ability to deform, despite its good strength, with improper care, the product may lose its shape;
☑ you need to carefully read the recommendations for caring for tencel bedding, since some manufacturers prohibit washing such sets, allowing only dry cleaning.
The high cost of Tencel bed linen puts it in the category of elite, but it has firmly taken its place in the home textile market.
Characteristics of Tencel-filled duvets:
☑ one of the few natural fillers that has hypoallergenic properties;
☑ create comfortable conditions for sleeping and rest, due to the ability to regulate the temperature depending on the ambient temperature, pleasantly warm in winter and create a feeling of coolness in summer;
☑ have a therapeutic pronounced bactericidal property;
☑ products for sleeping are very soft, fit perfectly to the body, as if enveloping the water surface;
☑ perfectly absorb moisture, and this is one of the most important properties of the blanket, because the body loses up to 500g of fluid during sleep;
The positive characteristics of Tencel are much more negative, and they become negative if the rules for caring for home textiles are not followed. Bed linen, blankets, pillows made of this material have truly excellent qualities, the main of which are safety, environmental friendliness and very pleasant sensations upon contact.
