A look at Lyocell numbers and facts
Today, Lyocell is used to make many things such as clothes, underwear, medical dressings, bed sheets and blankets. You can see that it’s a very useful cloth. Lyocell output hit 415.6 kg/tonne around the world in 2018, and it’s projected to double again by 2027.
Lyocell is very popular because it can be used for many things and is also 100% recyclable and reusable (if it’s not mixed with other synthetic fibers). Lyocell products would break down in a couple of months because they are made of wood. Other plastic-based goods, on the other hand, could take up to 100 years to break down.
No more secrets, though! Let’s learn more about what lyocell is and how it’s made.
How does Lyocell get made?
A lot of people think that fabrics can only be put into two groups: those made from natural fibers, like wool, hemp, cotton, ramie and silk and those made from man-made fibers like polyester and nylon. But, despite what many people think, the lines between these two groups are not as clear as people think. Lyocell is right in the middle of them.
There is no doubt that Lyocell is made from plants, but it is also treated with modern man made materials. That is, it’s not all nature or all man-made; it’s somewhere in the middle. In a scientific sense, that means it’s a semi-synthetic fiber.
The first step in making Lyocell is getting wood, which is usually from eucalyptus trees. That being said, Lyocell is also often made from bamboo, oak, and birch trees. After this wood is cut up into small pieces, chemicals are added to break it down even more, making a wood pulp.
This makes raw cellulose that is wet and sticky. By the way, these liquids don’t change the way cellulose is chemically structured; they just change its shape.
A solution known as amine oxide is used to heat this blend of liquids and break them up into small pieces one more time. The cellulose is cleaned and then spun into bright, long, thin strands.
After being washed, dried and oiled, these fibers are ready to be spun into a yarn and made into Lyocell cloth. Lyocell cloth is cut and made into the many things we use every day in the last step.
Is Lyocell able to last?
We already talked about how Lyocell has become a popular option in the world of ethical fashion, among other places. But it’s important to know what makes it so good for the earth.
There is a lot more to Lyocell’s sustainability than just the fact that it naturally breaks down and composts.
This fiber’s production method is what we called a “closed loop.” This means that it doesn’t make any dangerous waste. The chemicals that are used to remove it are safe and can be used again and again, so they don’t end up in the environment when the process is over. Amine oxide is a harmless solvent used in the making of Lyocell fibers and it can be recycled in any way you want.
But that’s not all. Lyocell production is fast and easy compared to other man-made fibers. It is also environmentally friendly because of the materials used. From cutting the wood into small pieces to carding it can take no more than two and a half hours.
Also, eucalyptus trees are a popular source of Lyocell and they meet all the requirements. These trees can grow almost anywhere, even on land that isn’t good for growing food anymore. They grow really quickly and don’t need any water or chemicals. Elm trees need five times as much land as cotton plants.
Lyocell comes from responsibly managed trees, which is both good for the environment and moral. Its main ingredient is cellulose, which can only be found in well-kept forests.
One of Lyocell’s many qualities is that it lets air pass through it. Some of you might be confused about why this is good for both you and the earth. So, since it breathes, the fabric doesn’t soak up smells as quickly as other fabrics, so you don’t have to wash it as often. Less cleaning saves energy and water.
To sum up, Lyocell’s production is much less harmful and useful than other cellulose fibers’ production methods.
The features of Lyocell
The process of making Lyocell is faster and less wasteful than making other fabrics, like rayon. The process of making it uses 20% less water and energy than making cotton. Additionally, it’s a great material to dye because it absorbs a lot of color, just like regular cotton.
People all over the world know that Lyocell is a sustainable material. This is because it comes from a natural source (wood cellulose) and is made in an environmentally friendly way. It’s actually possible to recover 99.5% of the liquid used in the spinning process that makes Lyocell. This means that very few chemicals are wasted.
Because of this environmentally friendly way of making Lyocell, it has won many awards, including the “European Award for the Environment” from the European Union.
This fabric is soft to the touch and light, even though it is very strong and tough. Both its ability to keep temperatures stable and its ability to absorb moisture are very good. Its ability to breathe, on the other hand, kills germs, making it a great cloth for people whose skin is sensitive or easily irritated.
Lyocell can be mixed well with other fibers like cotton, polyester, acrylic, ethical wool, silk, and merino wool because it has many good qualities.
The Pros and cons about lyocell
The pros
Feel Soft
Lyocell is good for your comfort because it keeps you dry and feels soft against your skin. It also saves you time and money. Selecting Lyocell goods cuts down on the frequency of clothing purchases, so you don’t have to waste time or money on new clothes.
Long-Term Success
People all over the world know that Lyocell is a sustainable material. This is because it comes from a natural source (wood cellulose) and is made in an environmentally friendly way.
Taking in moisture
Lyocell is even better at absorbing sweat than cotton.
Lack of Lines
It’s easier for Lyocell to stay smooth because it’s so light.
Strength and Stretch
Lyocell is a very strong and flexible material that can be used to make very long-lasting fabrics.
Feels soft to the touch
People have often said that lyocell feels like silk because it is so soft. It feels nice against the skin, which is great if you have skin irritations, and it looks lovely.
Being flexible
Lyocell is a very flexible material, maybe the most flexible of all of them. This is why so many makers like it.
Lyocell can be made into many different shapes without losing quality thanks to controlled fibrillation.
Cons:
High Cost
There is special equipment needed to make Lyocell, which makes the process very pricey. This means that Lyocell costs more than standard fibers like cotton for buyers.
What is lyocell good for?
Lyocell is useful in many fields and items because it has many good qualities. Because it can be used instead of silk and cotton, you can find it in a lot of different things, from beds and towels to clothes. It can also be found in things like specialty paper and moving belts.
Lyocell can absorb 50% more moisture than cotton because it is stretchy and wicks away moisture. This is why it’s often used in sportswear. It also lets air flow and doesn’t smell as quickly, so it’s great for all kinds of sports and exercise. Due to its ability to keep you cool, Lyocell is great for both summer and winter if you like to do things outside.
Lyocell dries and feels fresher than cotton, which makes it a great cloth for when you’re traveling to or living in warm places. The fact that it’s very light and soft makes it great for traveling. You won’t have to worry about skin itching or heavy bags while doing activities outside.
Some industries also use lyocell for important tasks. Because it is so strong and durable, it has become the cloth of choice for conveyor lines, for example. It is also found in medical dressings for the same reason. Since lyocell material has so many uses, it shouldn’t be a surprise to find it in strange places. This is actually still going on as we find new ways to use it.
How much Lyocell costs
We don’t have much to say about Lyocell in terms of the environment other than “great job!” Lyocell has great features that change the game, but it costs a lot more than common materials like cotton.
Most of the time, clothes made of 100% Lyocell cost more than clothes made of a mix of Lyocell and other materials, like polyester or silk.
The difference in price is due to the technology used to make Lyocell. Since it costs more to make, buyers will also have to pay more for it. When people talk about ecology, the slow fashion movement, for example, stresses that quality is more important than number.
So, if you want to buy something made of Lyocell, you should look at all of its qualities before the price. You should think of it as an investment because you are getting a high-quality fabric that will last for a long time and have many uses.
Lyocell vs. other materials
Cotton vs. Lyocell
There is a difference between organic and regular cotton that we need to make before we compare those two. When it comes to conventional cotton, Lyocell is clearly the more eco-friendly choice. But when it comes to organic cotton, the scales are pretty level.
Cotton, on the other hand, is a natural fiber, even though Lyocell is made from plants and natural resources and is made in a closed-loop process. Also, the price of Lyocell has gone up because of this. Lyocell is a lot more expensive than cotton, and cotton is still the best choice.
Even so, the way Lyocell is made might be more expensive than the way cotton is made, but it’s also much more efficient. Not as many chemicals are needed, and it needs about half as much water to grow and get ready to plant. Not only that, but Lyocell is better for the earth than cotton and other common fibers.
However, if we only look at how long something lasts, Lyocell wins. Lyocell sheets tend to last longer than cotton sheets and don’t wrinkle as much, which makes them easier to clean and care for since they take less time to wash and iron. In the end, it’s hard to say how much the difference in cost is.
Lyocell wears better and is softer than cotton. It also absorbs water better. Its smooth surface is great for people with sensitive skin that easily gets irritated or just want to feel how light and soft it is. Another big difference is that cotton doesn’t tend to scratch like that.
Lyocell is made up of tiny fibers that are hydrophilic, which means they love water and will soak up all the moisture from your skin. Furthermore, Lyocell stays cleaner and fresher than cotton because it absorbs so much. This is also why Lyocell works so well with dyes. This helps you feel fresh and keeps your body cool while you sleep.
Even so, cotton is still soft, airy, and hypoallergenic, so if your cotton clothes and sheets aren’t bothering you, you probably don’t need to move to Lyocell.
Polyester vs. Lyocell
A lot of people think that lyocell is a better option for the environment than manufactured fibers like polyester. The truth is that polyester is not nearly as eco-friendly as Lyocell, even though it is cheaper and more common these days.
Polyester is made from polymers, which are recycled plastics and petroleum-based chemicals. It’s not nearly as recyclable as Lyocell, which is made from cellulose found in wood. Polyester is bad for the earth and doesn’t breathe as well as Lyocell. It also doesn’t soak up sweat very well.
Lyocell is also more fragile than polyester, so the item made from it needs special care (for example, it can only be washed in cold water). Polyester, on the other hand, doesn’t need to be made in a certain way, and it’s stretchier than Lyocell.
Lyocell vs. viscose
Lyocell and viscose are both made from plants and they are often used for the same things. But they are not the same. The second one is made with dangerous chemicals, like sodium hydroxide solvent, and it is not as porous or absorbing as the first one.
