ORIGIN: INDIA
TENCEL® is a relatively new textile invention with tremendous potential to become a major player in the “green” product market. TENCEL, also called lyocell, is made from the cellulose fibers of plants (typically wood pulp). TENCEL fibers produce very strong fabric that is also very soft, so it is ideal for apparel and home furnishings. TENCEL’s fabric manufacturing processes are very eco-conscious. The chemicals used in processing are non-toxic and 99% recyclable. TENCEL fabrics are 100% biodegradable and will decompose within 8 days under the right conditions. You can also recycle TENCELL products to keep them out of landfills all together.
The TENCEL fabrics Barkha sources come from India. The yarns used to construct the fabrics come from Lenzing, Germany, where the fiber was originally developed. The fabrics all have an OEKO-TEX certification which means that the fabrics and the processes used contain no allergens, toxins, or heavy metals. Bemberg Cupro, another related type of eco-fabric that Barkha has access to, also comes from regenerated plant cellulose.
The only real drawback to TENCEL fabric is that, in its natural form, it is not likely to take dye. To get TENCEL to a dye-able state, it must be treated chemically. Some of the chemicals used in these treatments can be less than “green.” Those extra chemical processes don’t make the end result any less recyclable or biodegradable, so it is still a much more eco-friendly substitute for synthetic fibers or even conventional cottons. And, as with any of Barkha’s other fabrics, you can rest assured that your purchase is going to help sustain the local economies of the artisans who make them or provide livelihood to the millworkers in the developing countries where these fabrics are manufactured.. Everything Barkha sources meets fair labor standards.
