What is Lenzing ECOVERO™ viscose?
Lenzing ECOVERO™ is a sustainable variant of viscose, developed by the Austrian company Lenzing AG. It has the lightness, sheen, and comfortable wearability of viscose but with significantly less environmental impact during production.
How is Lenzing ECOVERO™ made?
Viscose is a semi-natural fiber: it is made from natural wood fibers but processed into a wearable fabric through a chemical process.
Lenzing ECOVERO™ viscose is made from local trees, reducing CO2 emissions. The wood comes from controlled forests and is FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified. This means enough trees are replanted, and the wood comes entirely from responsibly managed forests. The chemicals used are recycled, and 50% less water and energy are required compared to the production of traditional viscose.
What are the advantages of ECOVERO viscose compared to regular viscose?
- Less CO2 emissions: During the production of ECOVERO™ viscose, 50% less CO2 is emitted. For example, since the wood comes from Europe, it doesn't need to be transported to another continent for pulp production.
- Renewable sources: Lenzing ECOVERO™ is produced from wood pulp sourced from trees grown in specially cultivated, renewable forests that are FSC- or PEFC-certified. The wood harvested from nature is purposefully balanced with the forest's growth rate to ensure the continued availability of this valuable resource.
- Better water management: The production process for Lenzing ECOVERO™ viscose requires significantly less water than traditional viscose. This helps reduce the strain on freshwater resources, which is a crucial consideration given global water issues. Additionally, they purify the water they use before returning it to nature.
- Biodegradable: Since Lenzing ECOVERO™ fibers contain cellulose, they are biodegradable in soil, freshwater, and marine environments, and compostable in household and industrial settings**.
- Color retention: Lenzing ECOVERO™ viscose clothing retains its color better compared to garments made from regular viscose. This ensures that clothes stay beautiful for longer, contributing to a more sustainable wardrobe.
- Softness and comfort: Like traditional viscose, Lenzing ECOVERO™ is silky soft, lightweight, and breathable. It offers high comfort and is suitable for various garments, from summer dresses to blouses and more.
**Tests have been conducted on standard LENZING™ Viscose fibers, the latest of which were certified by TÜV AUSTRIA.
Where does ECOVERO™ come from?
Lenzing AG, the producer of ECOVERO™, is based in Austria. This is a strategic location due to its proximity to European forests, reducing CO2 emissions through shorter transport routes. Moreover, Austrian production standards ensure high quality and compliance with environmental regulations.
Lenzing ECOVERO™ clothing
Clothing made from Lenzing ECOVERO™ is lightweight, comfortable, silky soft, breathable, and slightly glossy. It is similar to sustainable materials like Tencel and Lyocell, but with one significant advantage: ECOVERO™ has notably better color retention than Tencel/Lyocell, ensuring that garments stay beautiful for longer.
Tips for caring for viscose clothing
- Do not rub or brush the fabric when it is wet.
- Expect 4-8% shrinkage after washing. Iron the clothing back into its original shape or wear it to stretch the fabric back out.
- Air dry the clothing but avoid direct sunlight.
- Do not use bleach to clean viscose.
With these simple tips, your Lenzing ECOVERO™ clothing will stay beautiful longer and retain its comfortable fit.
