Lyocell/Cotton Dress by Samu-Jussi Koski for Marimekko

Lyocell is made of the cellulose (structural component in plant cells) extracted from wood. Wood is dissolved into a pulp using a solvent which is then removed leaving a spinnable fiber. The solvent itself, amine oxide, is environmentally friendly and with its unique interaction with the wood, can be completely removed, giving it a 99.6% recoverability rate. The process of making Lyocell is so efficient and sustainable (can be called closed loop) that it was the Technology for Sustainability winner in 2000 for the European Buisness Awards for the Environment.

The qualities of Lyocell are soft and strong and can be finished a number of ways to look/feel like denim, rayon, moleskin, cotton or wool. Lyocell is one of the more common sustainable fibers being used by mainstream brands.  Kensie, MaxStudio, Victoria’s Secret, and Izaac Mizrahi have all used as well as some of our favorite green labels Grace and Cello, Of The Earth and Stewart & Brown. So keep your eyes out for Lyocell or Tencel® (a trademarked brand name of the fabric) and if you see a garment that is made with it, buy it, it’s as green as it gets!

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