What is modal fabric made of?

What is it made of?

• Regenerated cellulose fibers: Cellulose from wood is processed and re-formed into fibers that provide the fabric's material structure. Lenzing describes its TENCEL Modal fibers as soft and able to absorb and release moisture.
• Other fibers in blends: Some fabric descriptions list modal alongside other fibers. The garment's fiber declaration gives the particular blend and proportions.
• Colorants, depending on the product: Lenzing's Color technology incorporates pigments during modal fiber production. This is one coloring option, not a feature of all modal.

How the parts work together

1. Fiber shape and strength contribute to how the fabric feels. Lenzing attributes the lasting softness of TENCEL Modal partly to the fibers' cross-section and tenacity, or resistance to breaking under tension.
2. The cellulose structure allows moisture to be absorbed and released. Lenzing describes this as a moisture-control property of its fibers.
3. Modal and lyocell are both regenerated cellulose, but their production differs. Modal follows a modified viscose process; lyocell uses a separate route that dissolves cellulose directly.

How it is made or formed

1. Lenzing converts wood into dissolving pulp, separating cellulose from other wood constituents.
2. For viscose and modal, the company describes chemical treatment of pulp followed by preparation of a spinning solution. The solution passes through small openings into an acidic bath, where filaments form.
3. The fibers are stretched and washed as part of further processing. Modal-specific changes to the spinning solution and process settings produce fibers with high strength when wet.

Sources

• Lenzing: TENCEL Modal

  Supports regenerated cellulose, branded fiber properties, and optional pigment incorporation.

• Lenzing: Fiber technologies

  Supports wood-to-pulp processing, modal fiber formation, wet strength, and the distinction from lyocell.