Seamless clothing made from 100 percent wood-based TENCEL™ and TENCEL™ LUXE – without elastane

To date, functional seamless clothing was only known with a proportion of petroleum-based stretch fibers. This was the only way to ensure elasticity and shape recovery. But as comfort and sustainability play a particularly important role in soft sports categories like Athleisure, Yoga and Pilates nowadays, the Seamless Athleisure Set by Sidonios Tech x TENCEL™ LUXE revolutionized the design and production of seamless clothing by eliminating the use of petroleum-based stretch fibers.

Partnering with Sidonios Tech, a Portuguese seamless specialist, TENCEL™ LUXE has developed a fabric with 100 percent TENCEL™ Lyocell components for the new Seamless Athleisure Set featuring leggings and a long-sleeved shirt.

100 percent wood based TENCEL™ Lyocell components

In the Seamless Athleisure Set, TENCEL™ LUXE, Lenzing's first lyocell filament yarn, is used to replace petroleum-based filaments to blend with TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers. This fabric made it possible to create a seamless bi-stretch product that uses only one raw material source and thus may be suitable for circular processes.

Just like TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers, the TENCEL™ LUXE Lyocell filament is made from cellulose pulp. This is derived from wood from sustainable managed forests in accordance with the Lenzing Group's strict Wood and Pulp Policy. Sustainable and resource-saving production is ensured by a close-loop production cycle that minimizes environmental impact through low water and energy consumption and the economical use of raw materials. For example, the process water is recycled and the solvent reused with a recovery rate of more than 99 percent. The TENCEL™ LUXE Lyocell filament is a bio-based* product that is certified by the Vegan Society and accredited as biodegradable** and compostable*** under various conditions.

“TENCEL™ Luxe filament opens many new areas for our wood-based fibers in sportswear and will enable socially responsible brands to expand their bio-based material options for the consumer. What excites me the most, besides all the good sustainability credentials, the aesthetics and comfort elements, is the cooling sensation and strength, which is so important for performance textiles. The award underscores TENCEL™ brand’s commitment to pioneering fabric innovation and fiber solutions that blends comfort, function and sustainability to cater for the changing needs of brands and consumers,” said Andreas Gürtler, Senior Manager Global Business Development Active Sportswear at Lenzing AG.

TENCEL™ LUXE refines the aesthetics of athleisure wear

TENCEL™ LUXE filament offers exceptional aesthetics, performance and comfort. The versatile filament yarn can be used for a variety of applications, from activewear to denim to silk-like fabrics, knitwear and much more. The soft, smooth surface of the filament gives fabrics a silky feel and flowing appearance. They are naturally breathable and offer excellent color fastness, allowing designers to use bold color palettes.

“We are witnessing a seismic shift towards sustainability, and a growing demand for better filament solutions, particularly to replace petroleum-based materials in the activewear market. TENCEL™ LUXE Lyocell filament yarn is our new game-changing thread that is a promising alternative and a filament solution for the textile and fashion industry. It was an important step for Lenzing, as a leader in sustainable innovation, to add this highly functional and versatile filament yarn to the portfolio of fibers under the TENCEL™ brand,” said Vineet Singhal, VP Global Business Unit, Noble Fibers at Lenzing AG.

“One of the implications and limitations of seamless knitting is the need for a plaiting yarn that was until now necessarily petroleum-based because natural fiber yarns used as plaiting don’t guarantee a perfect result. This created limitations on biodegradability and circularity. TENCEL™ LUXE, however, has been developed as a continuous filament yarn so it can be applied as a plaiting yarn and thus replace petroleum-based ingredients. The possibilities with this new technology in the activewear category are inspiring and endless,” said Bruno Sidonio, Sales Manager at Sidonios Tech.

The jury picked Sidonios Tech x TENCEL™ LUXE Seamless Athleisure Set for its:

• Innovative mono-material made from cellulose / lyocell
• No use of petroleum-based fibers or filaments
• Particularly pleasant feel
• Moisture-regulating
• High-quality processing

"The search for more sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based fibers is in full swing. Lenzing proves that there is a 100 percent plant-based solution for seamless leggings and tops. Since they are made from a mono-material source, they could be recyclable, paving the way for a circularity," said ISPO Award Jury.

More information on TENCEL™ LUXE Lyocell Filament

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* LENZING™ Lyocell fibers and LENZING™ Lyocell filament yarns are certified Biobased Products by USDA’s BioPreferred® program

** “OK Biodegradable Soil”, issued by TÜV AUSTRIA

*** ”OK Compost Home” and “OK Compost Industrial”, issued by TÜV AUSTRIA