Even our Stone Age ancestors knew that wood is a precious resource. It is incredibly versatile and, when used responsibly, regenerates sufficiently. Wood is a raw material, a building material, a working material and an energy source all at once. This makes it one of – if not the – most fascinating materials in the world. As a door manufacturer, GARANT has long relied on this renewable raw material, but other sectors, such as the textile industry, have also discovered the benefits of wood for themselves.
Wood fibres as a sustainable alternative
The textile industry is characterised by fast fashion and poor production conditions, meaning that modifications are needed with regard to environmental and social factors.
Many textiles consist entirely or partly of synthetic fibers, such as polyester, polyamide, polyacrylic or nylon. These are based on fossil raw materials, which are finite resources and are also harmful to the environment. This is because synthetic fibers contain microplastics, which are released, for example, during a wash cycle. The microplastic particles are so small that they cannot be filtered out by our sewage treatment plants. The result: microplastics end up in rivers and seas and subsequently re-enter our food chain.
Furthermore, most of these textiles are produced from composite materials – that is, a mixture of natural and synthetic fibers. These fibers can no longer be separated from one another. The textiles eventually end up as waste – usually after only a short period of wear. In Germany alone, around 1.3 million tonnes of old clothes are recycled each year. Worldwide, there is a glut of discarded clothing that cannot be recycled or reused as second-hand goods.
To counteract this development, a change in mindset is required. Wood, as a natural and renewable raw material from which yarn can be produced, offers a potential alternative.
Wooden yarn: How does it work?
The cellulose contained in wood is important for the production of wood yarn. It is produced during photosynthesis and is found in the cell walls of a tree. Each type of wood consists of about 40 - 50% cellulose. To produce yarn from wood, the cellulose is dissolved out of the wood in a solvent and pressed through a fine nozzle. The result is a so-called spinning bath from which the wood yarn can be obtained. This then results in natural fabrics that can be dyed and printed in a similar way to cotton fibres.
A comparison of wood-fibres
Not all wood-fibres are the same; they differ in terms of their surface texture and strength. These differences also mean that the treatment processes for the wood-fibres vary, which in turn affects their environmental impact.
- Modal consists of beech wood and is vegan. Beech is a native tree species, which means there is no need for long-distance transport. However, the yarn can only be produced through a complex chemical process that requires the use of highly corrosive caustic soda and sulphuric acid. This makes many modal yarn manufacturing processes harmful to the environment and to health. However, there are also possibilities for recovering and recycling these chemicals.
- Viscose is the ‘big sister’ of modal fabrics. The manufacturing process is almost identical. The only difference is that different wood species (beech, eucalyptus, bamboo, pine, spruce) are used for viscose yarn. A great deal of energy and chemicals are required for the transport and production of viscose. In Asia, the yarn is often still produced under working conditions that are not particularly socially or environmentally responsible.
- Lyocell, also known as Tencel (a brand name owned by Lenzing), is a yarn that has been awarded the EcoLabel. The producer, Lenzing, uses only wood from sustainably managed forests. To isolate the cellulose, the company uses an organic solvent, 99 per cent of which is recycled back into the production cycle. Garments made from Tencel are fully compostable.
Wood fibres are extremely versatile. These natural materials are also playing an increasingly important role in the range of interior design and home textiles. The Hamburg-based enterprise carpetz specialises in the production of carpets. These are made from sisal, natural wool, as well as Lyocell and viscose. An added bonus: the carpets are particularly soft and velvety.
Wood fibres have the useful property of being breathable and regulating humidity. So what could they be better suited for than optimising our sleeping environment? Mattresses and duvets with surfaces or fillings made from wood yarn can help promote a restful sleep. One example of this is the Kipli Lyocell duvet. It regulates your temperature, is antibacterial and repels dust mites. Mattress covers made from this natural wood-based textile are available from allnatura. The ‘Hygiene’ mattress protector features a 100% Tencel filling. The fiber absorbs a particularly high amount of humidity and releases it again quickly.