Tencel vs. Lyocell: Brand and Generic Fiber Difference
Tencel is not equivalent to Lyocell, the two are fundamentally different. Tencel is a brand name owned by the Austrian company Lenzing, while Lyocell is a type of regenerated cellulose fiber, categorized as a chemical fiber. The former is a commercial brand, while the latter is a generic name for fibers.
Origins and Development of Lyocell Technology
The connection between the two stems from the history of fiber development. Early viscose fibers had problems such as high pollution, low strength, and poor wash-ability, which prompted scientists to seek improvements. A technical prototype for producing cellulose fibers using NMMO as a solvent emerged as early as 1939 but was shelved due to high costs. In 1976, the Dutch company Akzo Nobel restarted related research and applied for a patent in 1981, which was later granted to Courtaulds and Lenzing. Courtaulds continued its research and development under the brand name “Tencel.” Due to its large market share, the name “Tencel fiber” gradually became widespread. In 1989, the International Bureau for the Standardization of Man-Made Fibers officially named this type of fiber “Lyocell.”
Mergers and the Rise of the Tencel Brand
Subsequently, Courtaulds faced operational difficulties and was acquired by Akzo Nobel in 1998. After several changes in ownership, its Tencel business was acquired by Lenzing in 2000. Lenzing merged the Tencel brand with its own Lyocell business and retained the “Tencel” brand, thus forming the now well-known Tencel.
