TENCEL: The Holy Grail of Sustainable Fabrics
You’ve probably heard us talk about sustainability before. It influences everything we do; more than just a nice-to-have, but a genuine mission to do right by our environment and the people within it. As with most things, this mission begins at our very core, with the raw materials, and fabrics we use in the production of our clothing.
Enter, TENCEL.
Produced by an Austrian textile manufacturer, TENCEL is made of cellulose derived from wood pulp. Despite its natural origins, it’s still considered a synthetic fabric, owing to the extensive and technical processes involved in converting the natural fibres into a wearable fabric. We won’t bore you with the chemistry, but it is through this manufacturing process that much of TENCEL’s unique qualities shine- it is exceptionally strong yet soft on the skin, and has highly effective moisture absorption properties, making it breathable and less prone to wrinkles.
So, what exactly makes this fabric so sustainable?
Not only is TENCEL both biodegradable and compostable, but the environmental savings made during the manufacturing process are the real heroes behind this fabric. For one, the whole process relies on a closed loop, circular system, meaning that the over 99% of the water and non-toxic solvents used in production are continually recovered and reused, minimising the waste expelled into the environment. More than this, TENCEL’s production requires significantly less water and land usage in comparison to cotton, and does not use any pesticides or insecticides. Need we say more?
At ALKAM we’ve harnessed the power of this incredible fabric with our Alexa Crop, a staple relaxed-fit top that can easily be used as a layering piece, or dressed up for a night out.
Don’t get us wrong- we have by no means perfected the art of sustainability, and have a lot of learning and evolving to do, but it is our hope that we can continue to create quality pieces that make use of innovative fabrics like TENCEL, and make small changes that will minimise the impact we have on our planet. We’re starting small, and taking you along every step of the way.