TENCEL Modal Manufacturing: From Wood Pulp to Fabric

TENCEL Modal starts as wood pulp - sourced primarily from beech and eucalyptus trees, and goes through a closed-loop process that turns raw cellulose into one of the most sustainable fabrics used in sleepwear today. Understanding this process explains why One Less sources TENCEL Modal specifically, rather than standard viscose or cotton.

Step 1: Sourcing the Wood Pulp

• Beech and eucalyptus trees are harvested from sustainably managed forests.
• These trees require less water and land than cotton crops to grow the equivalent fiber yield.
• Wood pulp is broken down into cellulose, the raw material for the fiber.

Step 2: The Closed-Loop Spinning Process

• Cellulose is dissolved using a solvent-spinning process that recovers and reuses over 99% of the solvent in a closed loop.
• This drastically reduces chemical waste and water pollution compared to traditional viscose/rayon production.
• The process produces long, smooth cellulose fibers with a fine, consistent structure.

Step 3: From Fiber to Fabric

• The spun fibers are woven or knitted into fabric, retaining a naturally smooth, soft-touch surface.
• The fiber's micro-fine structure is what gives the finished fabric its breathability and moisture-wicking properties.
• Unlike cotton, which is grown and processed with more water-intensive methods, this fiber-to-fabric process uses significantly less water overall.

Why This Process Matters for Sustainability

• Closed-loop solvent recovery means minimal chemical discharge into water systems.
• Wood pulp sourcing from certified forests supports responsible land use.
• Lower water consumption compared to conventional cotton farming and processing.

Bottom Line: TENCEL Modal's sustainability isn't just a marketing label, it comes from a closed-loop manufacturing process that recovers solvents, reduces water waste, and uses responsibly sourced wood pulp. This is the fiber science behind every One Less TENCEL Modal Sleepwear Set.

FAQs

What is TENCEL Modal made from?
Wood pulp cellulose, primarily sourced from beech and eucalyptus trees.

Is the TENCEL Modal manufacturing process sustainable?
Yes, it uses a closed-loop solvent-spinning process that recovers and reuses over 99% of the solvent used.

How is TENCEL Modal different from viscose or rayon?
Viscose/rayon production typically releases more chemical waste; TENCEL Modal's closed-loop process recovers most solvents used.

Does making TENCEL Modal use less water than cotton?
Yes, the fiber requires less water at both the growing and processing stages compared to conventional cotton.

What gives TENCEL Modal its soft, breathable feel?
The fiber's micro-fine, smooth structure created during the spinning process gives it both softness and breathability.

Are the trees used for TENCEL Modal sustainably sourced?
Yes, beech and eucalyptus are typically sourced from certified, sustainably managed forests.

Why does One Less use TENCEL Modal for its sleepwear?
Because of its combination of sustainable manufacturing, breathability, and moisture-wicking performance suited to sleepwear.