What is TENCEL Lyocell?

The make up of Boxeroo As the primary fabric that makes up Boxeroos, we sure do love to talk about TENCEL™ (TENCEL) Lyocell.

However, as a less commonly used fabric than cotton or wool, you may not have nearly as much knowledge about the fabric when compared to its alternatives, even with its use becoming more and more frequent in recent years.

In this blog, we’re going to break down everything you need to know about TENCEL Lyocell, why we use it to make Boxeroos and why it’s certain to be your new favourite fabric.

What is TENCEL lyocell?

Let’s get straight to the point. Lyocell is a cellulose-fibre based fabric that’s sourced from beech tree pulp and is similar to other fabrics like rayon and linen. Lyocell is generally regarded as a more environmentally friendly fabric compared to rayon, as the production process is free of harsh chemicals. That’s not to say that we use the fabric exclusively for its sustainability benefits, as the fabric also gives a smooth feel that’s soft on the body too.

TENCEL lyocell specifically, is a specific brand of lyocell produced by the Austrian company Len-zing AG, whose TENCEL textiles brand produces lyocell as well as other lyocell-like textiles. We’ve chosen to use TENCEL lyocell in Boxeroos due to the company’s constant striving for product quality and sustainable production processes.

For example, the forests that the raw beech tree pulp is sourced from, comply with PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) and FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) standards for sustainable forest management.

This means that the forests from which the raw materials are harvested from, are reforested and that degraded areas are restored.

How is TENCEL Lyocell made?

In short, Lyocell is made by breaking down wood chips into beech tree pulp, dissolving the pulp in an amine oxide solution, and then spinning the resulting solution in spinnerets to produce long fibres, which can then be woven into a variety of products upon being washed and dried. In fact, lyocell can be used to make anything from long dresses and bed sheets to performance ready sportswear and - yes - Boxeroos.

TENCEL as a company is well known for using environmentally friendly closed-loop production processes. This means that the solvents and solutions they use, such as the amine oxide solution used to make lyocell, can be used over and over again.

Taking this one step further, the brand introduced their Refibra technology initiative in 2019. The Refibra technology is the textiles industry’s first successful scaled production of virgin TENCEL Lyocell fibres using post-consumer cotton waste. This means that cotton scraps of recycled clothes are mixed in with the raw beech tree pulp in the lyocell production process, creating a more earth friendly product overall.

What are the benefits of TENCEL Lyocell?

TENCEL Lyocell is prized for its softness on the skin and moisture management. This smooth feel is often said to be softer than cotton, with TENCEL claiming that their Lyocell is up to twice as soft as cotton. We can’t prove this, but we guess you’ll just have to try Boxeroos for yourself and find out. (*cheeky self promo anyone?*) They’re not just soft on the body either, Lyocell actually contains microscopic nano-fibrils which have a strong attraction to water, this is the exact reason why Lyocell absorbs roughly 50% more moisture from the skin than other comparable materials like cotton.

This moisture wicking quality makes lyocell a great choice for sports wear, bed sheets, and underwear, especially during the hotter months of the year. Furthermore, Lyocell is an extremely breathable material, which means it can help in regulating body temperature. These two performance factors together go a long way to reduce the growth of odour producing bacteria, meaning that Lyocell clothes smell fresher for longer.

Why we use TENCEL Lyocell in Boxeroos

We set out to provide our customers with a whole new ball game in boxer technology. In addition to our Roo Pouch technology and all of the other construction features of Boxeroos, TENCEL Lyocell is a big reason we hop, skip, and jump the competition to deliver the best in boxers. The anti moisture, anti odorous, and anti-sweating qualities of the fabric are unrivalled, and we equally champion TENCEL’s commitment to producing an environmentally friendly product.

When we learned of these qualities we knew that they were set to be an essential part of Boxeroos, and indeed they are, providing each and every one of our customers with a soft, smoother than cotton boxer experience that keeps them cool throughout the whole day.

Explore our whole range of boxeroos here.