2 I TENCEL® fibers TENCEL® The new age fiber TENCEL® branded lyocell fibers are from the house of Lenzing. They are of botanic origin, since they are extracted from the raw material wood. Fiber production itself is extremely eco-friendly, due to the closed loop system. On the day the TENCEL® fibers were invented, a new chapter was written in the history of fibers. Textiles of TENCEL® fibers are more absorbent than cotton, softer than silk and cooler than linen. TENCEL® fibers I 3 A turbo force when it comes to moisture absorption 4 I TENCEL® fibers Moisture Control TENCEL® fibers deal with moisture like no other. The fibers absorb moisture completely and naturally and then release it to the outside. A turbo force in moisture absorption The TENCEL® fibers have a unique fibril structure. Fibrils (extremely small hairs) are the tiniest components which make up the fiber. Submicroscopic channels between the individual fibrils regulate absorption and release of moisture. Thus, these tiny fibrils assure the optimum transportation of moisture. A comparison gives confidence Compared to synthetic fibers, the optimum moisture transportation of TENCEL® fibers is unique. The fibril structure of the fibers helps create an optimal skin climate due to the superior moisture absorption. Synthetic fibers do not absorb any moisture as the comparison shows. However, TENCEL® fibers really stand out when compared with cotton. Compared to cotton, the TENCEL® fibers absorb the moisture in a controlled and regular manner. With TENCEL® fibers a 50 % improvement in moisture management was measured.* TENCEL® fibers Polyester Cotton * Graphic is based on electromicroscopic studies by M. Abu Rous et al., AUTEX Textile World Conference, Slovenia, 2005 TENCEL® fibers I 5 Cosmetics for the skin 6 I TENCEL® fibers Textile cosmetics Due to the smooth structure of the TENCEL® fibers, textiles are particularly silky and soft on the skin. Smooth softness Since the textile has a smooth surface, the softness is appreciable and prevents irritations to the skin. Thus, TENCEL® fibers promote an optimal skin feeling thanks to the smooth fiber surface. Rough fiber surfaces can cause skin irritations. Compared to the fiber surfaces of cotton and wool, it is clear that TENCEL® fibers ® are much smoother and softer on the skin. TENCEL fibers Wool Cotton Skin in balance The skin is the largest human organ. The care and health of the skin are, therefore, particularly important. The skin can only remain healthy and attractive if it is in balance. TENCEL® fibers I 7 Natural hygiene 8 I TENCEL® fibers Pure fibers Bacteria do not stand a chance with TENCEL® fibers. The perfect moisture management of these cellulosic fibers is responsible for the reduced bacteria growth. Totally natural hygiene With TENCEL® fibers the formation of bacteria is reduced. Moisture is immediately transported into the inside of the fibers. Thus, no moisture film, which can sustain bacterial growth, forms on the fibers. Completely without chemicals The growth of bacteria can be restricted completely naturally without chemical additives. A test demonstrates that the growth of bacteria on the TENCEL® fibers is greatly reduced. In synthetic fibers, on the other hand, the number of bacteria increases by up to 2000 times. Increase in bacteria by up to 2000 times Polyamide Polyester Polypropylene Cotton TENCEL® fibers * Laboratory study of bacterial growth on textiles: B. Redl, Medical University Innsbruck, Austria, 2004 TENCEL® fibers I 9 Produced ecologically, taking care to conserve resources 10 I TENCEL® fibers The gentle way A life cycle analysis demonstrates the eco-friendliness of the TENCEL® fibers in comparison to cotton, polyester and polypropylene. The study evaluates all the environmental impacts in the course of extracting the fiber and arrives at the conclusion that cotton’s toxic impact on fresh water and soil is enormous in comparison to TENCEL® fibers. Another ecological advantage of TENCEL® fibers is that the raw material wood, stems from forest plantations which practice sustainability. The cultivated forest land is not suitable for agricul- ture. In contrast, cotton uses productive agricultural land, which means it is competing with food production. Moreover, water con- sumption is 10 – 20 times lower than with cotton.* Ecological production The production of TENCEL® fibers is revolutionary. The production process is based on a solvent spinning process which represents the greatest achievement in cellulose fiber technology. More than 100 Lenzing patents have been granted at the international level for the invention of TENCEL® fibers. The unique closed loop process makes TENCEL® fibers the fibers of the future since the solvent used is recycled by almost 100% in the closed loop process. This special process received the “European Award for the Environment” from the European Union. Water Fiber Wood Pulp production TENCEL® fibers Solvent * Life Cycle Assessment of Lenzing Fibers: M. Patel, L. Shen, University Utrecht, Netherlands, 2008 TENCEL® fibers I 11 Botanic Fibers Forest Wood Pulp Fiber 12 I TENCEL® fibers From wood to fiber. TENCEL® fibers come from nature and make use of photosynthesis which has, since the beginning of time, been an important mechanism in nature and the basis for life on earth. In photosynthesis the energy from the sun is absorbed by various dyestuffs, primarily green chlorophyll, and converted into chemical energy. In this respect, the starting products of carbon dioxide and water are converted into dextrose and oxygen. The more TENCEL® fibers you have, the more oxygen. Yarn Fabric End product TENCEL® fibers I 13 Botanic for Denim According to estimates, around 800 million jeans are produced every year. This is an enormous environmental burden, considering the impact of cotton cultivation through to the manufacturing of this cult article of clothing. TENCEL® fibers - the eco alternative The addition of 25% TENCEL® fibers to conventional cotton significantly improves the eco balance of jeans. The advantage lies in the more efficient use of land and the higher yield per hectare of TENCEL® fibers. When producing denim, the dyeing process and the aggressive washing and finishing processes constitute the environmental burden. Jeans made of TENCEL® fibers make it possible to improve the typical washing processes which results in a reduction in water consumption of around 45% and a lower chemical load of 35%. 14 I TENCEL® fibers Botanic for Shirts Life is easy with shirts made of TENCEL® fibers. It makes sense since they combine wear comfort with easy-care properties. No meeting – no matter how hot it might get – will make you perspire. Air Conditioning for the skin Compared with other materials, TENCEL® fibers feel much cooler when temperatures are rising. This property is achieved as a result of the high moisture buffering capacity and smooth fiber surface. The basic principle is that the moisture absorbed in the fabric eva- porates. So the skin is automatically cooled as a result of the evaporating chill. TENCEL® fibers I 15 Workwear Until now, workwear was dominated by polyester and cotton fibers. TENCEL® fibers are taking the workwear sector by storm and setting new priorities. Innovation in Workwear As a result of their fiber profile, TENCEL® fibers are perfect for workwear usage: the strongest tenacity profile of all cellulose fibers, the highest moisture absorption, reduced bacterial growth and the very best skin-sensory properties for excellence in working life. 16 I TENCEL® fibers Sports An athlete can only deliver a top performance with the right clothing. What counts are the materials used and sound design. In motion TENCEL® fibers are combined with other fibers so that the fiber properties in sports textiles can be matched to suit the activity in question. On the outside of special functional fabric constructions, TENCEL® fibers provide moisture absorption and act like a “blotting sheet”, since they transfer moisture from the skin. TENCEL® fibers I 17 Sleep Story The TENCEL® fibers can be used in everything associated with sleep – from mattresses and mattress pads to comforters and bed linens. Sleeping light Since TENCEL® fibers are available in so many forms, a complete botanic bed can be offered to customers. A bed from nature itself. There is a special form of TENCEL® fibers for each and every part of the bed: powder for mattress cores, filling fibers for comforters and mattress pads, and TENCEL® MICRO fibers for the very finest of bed linens. Therefore perfect moisture management can be guaranteed in every component of the bed. 18 I TENCEL® fibers Home story The TENCEL® fibers present considerable potential for interiors. Carpets, rugs and upholstery fabrics are the logical next step. Soon, botanic interior design will become a reality. TENCEL® fibers comfort The TENCEL® fibers offer interesting advantages for carpets. They are “naturally” moth free compared to fibers containing proteins such as wool. Wool has to be treated with toxic chemicals to prevent moth attack. Carpets of TENCEL® fibers ensure a healthy climate in the room in a completely natural way without chemical additives. The latest usage for TENCEL® fibers is furniture fabrics. TENCEL® fibers are the alternative to conventional materials – for a better room climate. TENCEL® fibers I 19 Automobile usage The TENCEL® fibers are used in various parts of the car: from seats to carpets through to the plastic parts. No Limits In the automobile sector, replenishable raw materials play an important role. The TENCEL® fibers are made from wood which makes them particularly interesting. Thus, the fibers are a useful element not only because of their wide range of usages but as a result of their eco-friendliness. The universality of TENCEL® fibers is another practical asset. Different TENCEL® fiber types are available for every usage: a particularly bulky fiber for floor mats, fibrous powder for plastic parts (injection molding compounds), special textile fibers for seat covers, and non-wovens for battery separators.