| What they are | Fibers from reformed natural cellulose |
| From | Wood pulp (usually) |
| Types | Viscose/rayon, modal, lyocell (Tencel) |
| Sustainability hinges on | Responsible forestry + clean process |
Man-made cellulosic fibers (MMCFs) are semi-synthetic fibers made by chemically dissolving and reforming natural cellulose, usually from wood pulp — including viscose/rayon, modal, and lyocell (e.g., Tencel). They feel soft and natural like cotton and are biodegradable, but their sustainability depends heavily on responsible forestry and clean production processes, which closed-loop lyocell does best.
Natural-feeling, semi-synthetic
The fiber class that includes recycled-textile Infinna; a fully natural alternative is hemp. Responsible production is tracked by bluesign.
Frequently asked questions
What are man-made cellulosic fibers?
Man-made cellulosic fibers (MMCFs) are semi-synthetic fibers produced by chemically dissolving natural cellulose — typically from wood pulp — and regenerating it into fiber. They include viscose (rayon), modal, and lyocell. Made from a natural raw material but via a manufacturing process, they sit between natural and synthetic fibers.
What are viscose, modal, and lyocell?
They're all MMCFs that differ in process and properties: viscose (rayon) is the original, soft but made with more chemically intensive processing; modal is a stronger, softer variant often from beech; and lyocell (such as Tencel) uses a closed-loop solvent process that recovers chemicals, making it generally the most environmentally friendly of the three.
Are cellulosic fibers sustainable?
They can be, but it depends. Because they come from trees, responsible sourcing matters (avoiding ancient or endangered forests), and the chemical process can be polluting unless well managed. Closed-loop lyocell and fibers from recycled textile waste (like Infinna) are the most sustainable options, while conventional viscose can be problematic.
Sources
- Man-made cellulosic fibers — Textile Exchange
- Cellulosic fibers — bluesign