How sustainable textile fibers are made from wood

Many hobby sewers who visit our factory outlet have heard the name Lyocell before, but often cannot imagine what it actually is. We frequently hear questions such as: “Is it a synthetic fiber?” or “Where does Lyocell actually come from?”

That's why we want to show you what's behind this special fiber in this article. Lyocell—also known under the brand name TENCEL™—has a surprisingly natural origin: wood. And the journey from tree to finished fabric is more fascinating than you might think.

This fiber combines sustainability, comfort, and modern textile technology—making it a perfect fit for high-quality fabrics and responsible textile production.

In our article, we show you step by step how Lyocell fibers are made from wood, which types of wood are used for this purpose, and why Lyocell is a genuine alternative to synthetic fibers.

What is Lyocell (TENCEL™)?

Lyocell is a cellulose-based textile fiber derived from the natural raw material wood. Various types of wood, often from sustainably managed forests, serve as the source material. The cellulose extracted from this wood forms the basis for a fiber that is particularly soft, breathable, durable, and environmentally friendly.

The manufacturing process of Lyocell fibers

1. Shredding wood and extracting cellulose

First, the wood is mechanically shredded and then soaked. This process releases the pulp, i.e. the pure cellulose, from the wood. This cellulose is the key component for subsequent fiber production.

2. Dissolving the cellulose

The pulp obtained is then mixed with water and an organic solvent and heated under controlled conditions. This produces a homogeneous, viscous mass known as the spinning solution. This process is particularly resource-efficient, as the solvent is almost completely reused in the cycle.

3. Filtering, washing, and pressing

In the next step, the spinning solution is carefully filtered to remove the finest impurities. It is then washed and pressed until the optimum consistency for spinning the fibers is achieved.

4. Spinning into individual fibers

The spinning solution is now pressed through extremely fine nozzles. This creates continuous Lyocell filaments, which are then further consolidated. The liquid mass is so transformed into solid, resilient fibers.

5. Washing, drying, and further processing

The freshly produced Lyocell fibers are washed again and gently dried. After that, they can then be spun into yarn and finally processed into fabrics—for example, woven fabrics, jersey, or blended fabrics.

Why Lyocell is a sustainable textile fiber

Lyocell is not only impressive due to its comfortable wearing properties, but also because of its
ecological advantages:

Raw material wood from sustainable forestry

Closed production cycle

Low water and energy consumption

Biodegradable

Free from petroleum-based components

Lyocell is an excellent choice, especially for those who consciously want to avoid synthetic fibers
such as polyester.

Conclusion: Wood becomes fabric – modern, sustainable, and versatile

The production of Lyocell impressively demonstrates how a natural raw material such as wood can be turned into a modern, high-quality textile fiber. Through innovative processes, responsible use of resources, and excellent material properties, Lyocell has become an indispensable part of the contemporary textile world.

Whether for clothing, home textiles, or high-quality fabrics, Lyocell uniquely combines sustainability, quality, 
and comfort.