What is Tencel Modal? Is It Different Than Modal?
After one of the hottest global summers on record, it’s no surprise that consumers have climate change at the forefront of their minds and purchase habits. While many are familiar with modal fibers, general confusion surrounds TENCEL™ Modal. More specifically, what is TENCEL™ Modal, and is it different from conventional modal?
TENCEL™ Modal is a brand version of high-quality modal fabric, created through unique sustainable methods. Lenzing (TENCEL™’s parent company) is widely recognized as one of the most environmentally friendly textile producers in the world, and TENCEL™ Modal is one of two flagship products.
The other flagship product is TENCEL™ Lyocell. Lyocell and modal might be new to some, but they are simply processes for creating textiles of cellulose fibers. And TENCEL™ makes a unique version of each.
If you recall from the Sport Casuals' article about modal fibers, one difference between modal and lyocell starts with the source - modal uses eucalyptus trees whereas lyocell uses beech trees.
In the previous Sport Casuals' article on modal, Lenzing is mentioned as the gold standard for eco-friendly sustainable modal production.
Now, you'll gain further context as to why that is - you'll find 3 facts about how TENCEL™ Modal is setting the eco-friendly bar for other textile producers. But first, let's set the record straight on what modal is.
What Is Modal? How Is It Different From TENCEL™ Modal?
Here are three basic tenets about modal that you have to understand before you can see how TENCEL™ makes it unique.
Three Things You Should Know About Conventional Modal
1. Modal is Sustainable
Made from the fiber of beech trees, modal is a cellulose fiber that is classified as sustainable. This fiber is made into a pulp that can then be extruded into long, thin filaments that, once refined, can be spun into threads that are then woven together to make garments, or blended with other types of material to make hybrids.
2. Modal is Luxuriously Soft
Modal fibers, when woven into cloth, have a silky-smooth high-quality texture. The micro-level physical properties of modal material give it breathable and moisture-wicking properties. It's also flexible and can be combined with many other types of material, such as wool, to give it different properties for different types of clothing. All of these make it a fabric of choice in sustainably sourced eco-materials for activewear and athleisure.
3. Modal Has Varying Levels of Sustainability
While modal is more sustainable and eco-friendly than synthetic fibers, it doesn’t always check all the “green” boxes. There are plenty of modal production companies out there that do not follow all of the sustainability guidelines set by governments and certification programs, who are misleading and obscure about their practices, and who cut corners to expand their profit margins.
The TENCEL™ Modal Difference
Lenzing, and by extension TENCEL™, is quite serious about their efforts to build a more sustainable planet for all of us. They've solidified themselves as leaders in the textile community when it comes to truly sustainable fiber production.
Not only do they have a plethora of certifications proving their environmentalism, but they are also completely transparent about their entire process, from the ground (literally!) up.
Here are several standout features only found in TENCEL™ Modal fabrics:
TENCEL™ Modal fibers, like standard modal fibers, are incredibly smooth and soft to the touch. However, TENCEL™ Modal uses a technology called “Eco Soft” that gives the fibers a soothing, cooling feeling to the skin.
TENCEL™ fibers are also woven in a way to enhance their breathability, allowing their smooth surface to absorb and release moisture more efficiently than other textiles, supporting the body’s natural thermal regulation.
Additionally, the properties of TENCEL™ Modal fibers allow colorful dyes to more completely penetrate the fiber structure, allowing garments made with TENCEL™ Modal to achieve a deeper coloration that is less prone to fading over time.
TENCEL™ maintains all of the elements of conventional modal - its quality, feel, and price point - while also elevating the “green” piece of the puzzle to a new level.
In turn, this leaves both brand and consumer feeling good about their purchases.
3 Unique Facts about TENCEL™ Modal
1. The Many Certifications of TENCEL™ Modal
TENCEL™ has gone above and beyond to ensure that its modal production is as highly certified and qualified as it can be, to further assure consumers and businesses that they can feel morally satisfied with their purchase.
Comparatively, they are one of the most highly certified fabric producers in the world. Here are just a few of their certifications and recognitions:
USDA Biopreferred: This certification is an ecological certification that shows that TENCEL™ Modal is a biobased product that is harvested from sustainably managed sources, in this case, beech trees, a renewable resource.
TUV Austria Belgium NV: This certification demonstrates that all TENCEL™ Modal fibers are biodegradable and compostable, under industrial, home, soil, and marine conditions. This means that once properly disposed of, TENCEL™ Modal can fully revert to nature.
EU Ecolabel: TENCEL™ Modal has been certified under the internationally recognized EU Ecolabel. This environmental quality label is only awarded to products and services that have a significantly lower environmental impact throughout their lifetime. Any product that is certified with this label has been independently and critically assessed for compliance under strict performance parameters.
European Award for the Environment: This award is given by the European Commission to companies that produce products with high resource efficiency and low ecological impact. TENCEL™ Modal received this award under the category “The Technology Award for Sustainable Development” for its closed-loop production process.
CDP AAA Score: The Carbon Disclosure Project, or the CDP, is a global nonprofit environmental organization that is recognized as the gold standard, scoring companies on their environmental transparency. Lenzing has been awarded a triple-A rating for its work in tackling climate change, forest protection, and water security. Only 14 other companies in the world were recognized with this perfect AAA score in 2021.
EcoVadis Sustainability Platinum Rating: EcoVadis is yet another international organization that provides sustainability rankings to companies all over the world using a variety of metrics to environmental and social standards. Lenzing’s platinum ranking places them in the top 1% of global companies measured using this scale.
2. TENCEL™ Modal is Sustainable and Eco-Friendly
The TENCEL™ trophy room is clearly filled with certifications, demonstrating that TENCEL™ Modal is as sustainable and environmentally friendly as you can get in today’s textile industry.
While the brand absolutely meets the basic benchmarks required to be considered eco-friendly, such as utilizing a renewable resource and properly disposing of any hazardous chemicals after usage, there are a couple of exceptional practices also worth mentioning.
Biodegradability: TENCEL™ Modal fibers are 100% biodegradable.
This means that, over time, as they are disposed of in landfills after being discarded, these fibers will fully return to nature, without any man-made remnants left behind. This biodegradability can be attributed to their botanic origin, as the fibers are made of 100% natural materials. Biodegradability is crucial in textile production and many textiles do not fully compost, leaving behind synthetic microfibers that find their way into our food and water supply over time.
Since TENCEL™ Modal is a purely natural fiber, consumers can rest assured knowing they are not contributing to the plague of microfiber pollution.
True Carbon Zero: Lenzing Commits to Science Based Targets Initiative
Lenzing, and by extension TENCEL™ Modal, is the very first cellulosic fiber producer in the world to commit to the Science Based Targets initiative, an initiative that includes CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute, and the World Wide Fund for Nature.
The SBTi’s goal is to define and promote best practices in emissions reduction and setting reasonable zero-emissions goals.
Carbon zero is incredibly ambitious, and not something achieved in a year or even 10. That's why Lenzing has set its carbon zero date at 2050 - this is achieved in a three-part plan.
Lenzing's Three-Part Plan to Reach Carbon Zero by 2050
Reduce: Lenzing strives to continue reducing its carbon footprint by developing more efficient production methods, adopting greener technologies, and continuing to use renewable sources of energy.
Engage: By becoming the first textile company in the world to adopt the SBTi, and by speaking about this initiative in a public and transparent way, Lenzing continues to engage with their industry and encourage other producers to source materials with low carbon footprints and subsequently lower the entire textile industry’s overall carbon emissions.
Offset: Finally, Lenzing has committed to funding and supporting global carbon reduction projects to offset their current carbon footprint.
3. TENCEL™ Modal has a Huge Variety of Applications
The flexibility of TENCEL™ Modal fibers allows it to be used in many different types of products, from lingerie to curtains to shoes. TENCEL™’s website highlights six different ways in which their partners frequently utilize their fibers:
1. Active: Properties of TENCEL™ Modal make the fibers ideal for the creation of activewear.
Submicroscopic passages between the modal fibers help regulate the absorption and release of moisture, which enhances the performance of athletes by helping them stay cool and dry during a workout.
TENCEL™ fibers are also ideal for the growing athleisure market, as they are colorful, silky, and comfortable for daily wear. TENCEL™ currently works with 26 popular athleisure and athletics companies including The North Face and New Balance.
2. Denim: TENCEL™ Denim fibers are a modal blend that maintains the same botanic origin.
TENCEL™ has partnered with popular brands such as Levi’s, J. Crew, and H&M for the creation of sustainable, comfortable denim products.
3. Intimate: TENCEL™ Modal fibers allow for the natural management of moisture.
This enables the creation of breathable fabrics that discourage bacterial growth and subsequently offer better hygienic qualities. TENCEL™ has partnered with 45 different brands that produce lounge and intimate wear, including Victoria’s Secret and MeUndies.
4. Luxe: TENCEL™ defines their “luxe” products as “a new botanical alternative to silk.
These fibers have the same feel and quality as silk, without the harsh environmental impact of silk production. TENCEL™ Luxe fibers have a slightly different production process when compared to their usual modal production, but they still utilize the same botanical origin and sustainable methods.
5. Home: TENCEL™ Modal fibers are soft and breathable.
The TENCEL™ Modal fibers are perfect for the production of home goods such as bedsheets, drapes, rugs, and more.
The softness and breathability of the fibers allow for an enhanced quality of sleep, helping your body regulate its temperature throughout the night.
The luxurious feel and texture of their modal fibers mean that carpets and curtains appear more expensive than they are. Over 75 home goods brands have partnered with TENCEL™ so far in the production of their products including PotteryBarn and Sheridan.
6. Footwear: Comfortable and breathable footwear.
TENCEL™ Modal fibers have found a natural place in the production of comfortable, breathable footwear around the world.
They can be utilized in every part of the shoe, from the laces to the sole, particularly in the outer fabric and inner lining. Shoe companies utilizing TENCEL™ right now include TOMS and Camper.
Verdict: TENCEL™ Modal is Great, Green Investment
If you're looking for a quality, eco-friendly modal fiber production company, TENCEL™ Modal stands taller than the rest.
They are doing everything right, from their sustainable production to their quality craftsmanship to their complete and total transparency. When partnering with TENCEL™, you can rest easy knowing you are doing your customers and the planet a big favor.