What's the Difference Between Modal and Lessel?

Modal and Lessel are both regenerated cellulose fibres made from beech trees. They're as soft as rayon and feel like silk under the skin.

The best modal is made from responsibly-managed beech forests, and uses less water during production than other modals. Look for the TENCEL branding when shopping modal fibre to ensure you're getting hacci fabric the most sustainable option.

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Modal

Modal is a type of rayon fabric that goes through an additional processing step to make it stronger and more breathable. The end result is a soft and silky smooth fabric that's similar to cotton. Modal is also environmentally friendly and has a lower water footprint than viscose. It is produced using renewable raw beech wood sourced from sustainable forests in Austria and neighboring countries. The fibers are then processed at the Lenzing site in Europe, resulting in carbon-neutral production. The fabric is also biodegradable and compostable under industrial, home, soil and marine conditions.

Like cotton, modal is a breathable fabric that's great for activewear, loungewear, and underwear. It's also very absorbent, so it's great for wicking sweat away from the body. Modal is also stretchy and soft, making it a great choice for tights, tees, tank tops, and dresses. It's also great for sleepwear, robes, and pajamas.

All fabrics are made up of fibers, which are single strands of material that are combined together to form a textile. The fibers can be natural or synthetic, and they can be knitted or woven into fabric. Once the fabric is formed, it can be used to make clothing, towels, and bedding.

Modal is a great alternative to cotton, as it's more sustainable and eco-friendly. It uses less water, requires fewer chemicals to produce, and is more durable than cotton. It also has a better ability to retain dye, which makes it color-fast. It's also hypoallergenic, which means that it's safe for people with sensitive skin.

The primary producer of modal is Austrian textile giant Lenzing AG, which has been producing rayon for decades. They specialize in TENCEL(tm) Modal, which is manufactured from the renewable raw materials beech wood and the waste from other fibers. They have fully integrated pulp and fiber and ribbed fabric production at their plant in Austria, which makes it possible to create a CO2-neutral and ecologically responsible product. The company also sells a light version of the fabric called MicroModal.

Another benefit of modal is that it can be recycled again and again, unlike other synthetic fabrics. It's important to note, though, that the sustainability of modal depends on how it's treated during the production process. If the fabric is dyed or finished with toxic chemicals, it will be impossible to recycle. The best way to avoid this is to shop for products that are certified organic and fair trade.

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Lyocell

As you may already know, lyocell and modal are both semi-synthetic fabrics made from plants. They’re both popular fabrics for clothing, especially loungewear, and home textiles like sheets. They’re both part of the rayon family and are both made from plant-based cellulose, but there are some differences between them that come down to how they’re produced.

The most significant difference between the two is that lyocell is made from eucalyptus wood and modal is made from beech wood. The choice of wood is important because it impacts the texture of the fibers. The other difference is that lyocell uses a closed-loop system for production, meaning the dissolving agents used in the process can be reused over again. This reduces the amount of waste that is created compared to viscose fabric production.

To make lyocell, manufacturers start with a sheet of cellulose that has been dissolved in a vat of a special solvent called NMMO (N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide). The NMMO is then recycled through a process similar to the one used to produce rayon, where it is combined with water and forced through spinnerets. This creates long, thin strands of cellulose that are then washed and dried.

Once the strands are dry, they can be spun into yarn or fabric. The yarn can then be knitted or woven into a garment. The fabric is soft, drapes beautifully, and has great moisture absorption. It also has a high resistance to wrinkles and stretch.

If you’re looking for a sustainable alternative to cotton or silk, lyocell is definitely worth considering. It has some of the best drape and stretch of all cellulose-based fabrics, and it’s also the most eco-friendly. When shopping for lyocell, be sure to look for brands that only use Lenzing’s branded lyocell or otherwise transparently share their sustainable sourcing practices with consumers.

Another good alternative to lyocell is Tencel. Tencel is another product of Lenzing AG, but it’s different from lyocell in that it can be produced using sustainable methods that are certified by third-party agencies. This certification ensures that the trees that are used for Tencel production are grown with organic and sustainable practices and that the resulting fiber is not produced using any toxic chemicals.

Viscose

Viscose, Modal and Lyocell are all plant-based fibres but they have different properties. They are all regenerated cellulose textiles which means they are made from the long chains of molecules that give plants their stiffness, which have been extracted, dissolved and then realigned to make a fibre. These fibres are mainly produced from wood pulp (like cotton) or from natural plants like soybeans, bamboo grasses or tree bark, but also can be recycled from other textiles.

The difference between these fibres comes down to their manufacturing processes and the structure of their resulting filaments. Viscose is the first generation of regenerated cellulose fabrics to enter widespread production, it was developed in Japan in 1951. Modal is a variant of this fabric that goes through an additional process to improve its durability and softness. It is considered a more sustainable alternative to viscose rayon, but it's still not the most eco-friendly option.

Like other semi-synthetic textiles such as acetate and cupro, modal is made from reconstituted cellulose derived from the wood of beech trees. Its softer feel than viscose and more durable properties are credited to the fact that modal is stretched during its creation. This creates a molecular alignment that makes the fibres stronger. It's also more water-absorbent than viscose and can withstand many more repeated washes than cotton.

The defining characteristics of modal are its breathability in jersey fabric and smoothness to the touch. This quality makes it a popular choice for garments that sit close to the skin, especially during hot weather. It can also be dyed to stay colour-fast, making it a great alternative to cotton when you need something that's more breathable than wool or silk.

While modal is more environmentally friendly than other synthetic fibres, it's not necessarily the best option for your wardrobe. Depending on where the fabric is made, it may have been harvested in a way that causes environmental damage. According to a report by Canopy, the logging of trees for cellulose production is responsible for 120 million hectares of deforestation each year. This can lead to habitat destruction and human rights abuses.

Tencel

Tencel is a brand name for a type of fabric made from wood fibers. It is similar to rayon and viscose in that it's a form of regenerated cellulose. It's also a less environmentally damaging alternative to cotton. It uses less energy and chemicals, and it's sourced from fast-growing eucalyptus trees that are harvested sustainably.

Like other regenerated cellulose fabrics, tencel is soft and absorbent. It's also resistant to shrinking, fading, and wrinkling. It is also hypoallergenic, making it suitable for sensitive skin. It is more durable than cotton and silk, and it's resistant to static. The fabric also has a good moisture-wicking ability, which makes it a great choice for activewear.

While it is not a natural fibre, it's a more sustainable option than synthetic materials such as polyester. It has the feel of cotton and silk, but it is softer and more durable than wool or acrylic. It's also more breathable than cotton and can keep you cool even in humid conditions.

Lyocell, or tencel, is made from regenerated cellulose derived from wood pulp. It is a soft and silky textile with a cotton-like feel and is breathable, absorbent, and resistant to wrinkling. It's a great alternative to cotton and is often blended with other fibres such as bamboo, polyester, and cotton.

Its sustainability features make it a great option for clothing and bedding. It uses less water and chemicals than cotton, is softer and more eco-friendly than viscose, and it's traceable from source to manufacturer. It's also a better choice for people with allergies or sensitivities to dyes and chemicals used in the manufacture of other textiles.

Lenzing AG is the company that produces tencel, and they have improved of french terry knit the process to reduce environmental impact. Instead of sodium hydroxide, they use an organic solvent called N-Methylmorpholine N-oxide (NMMO). This process is more efficient and uses a closed-loop system to minimize harmful waste. It's also safer for workers.

The Tencel brand is owned by the Austrian manufacturer Lenzing AG. The brand is well known and has a reputation for quality. The tencel that they produce is sourced from fast-growing eucalyptus forests and is more breathable than cotton. It can also be a little bit more expensive than cotton, but it's worth the extra money for its breathability and softness.