Viscose

Viscose, a form of Rayon developed in the late 19th century as an alternative to silk, is a plant-based fiber derived from the cellulose of fast growing, regenerative woods such as eucalyptus, beech, and pine, as well as bamboo, soy, and sugar cane. In recent years the production of these fibers has come under scrutiny for its environmental impact, and more eco-friendly production processes have been developed using an amine oxide solution to break down the cellulose and then recycle the waste product back into the system. The cellulose is then extruded to produce a filament which is then used in the weaving process.

Today viscose is one of the fastest growing fibers in use in the textile industry. When produced with sustainable practices it can be a solid replacement for synthetic man-made fibers such as nylon, polyester, and acrylic. Its cellulose origins allow it to biodegrade easily, it is durable, drapes like silk and feels like cotton to the touch. It burns like cotton and produces light gray ash. When other fibers such as wool are spun over the extruded fiber the viscose adds strength to the finished textile but does not affect the appearance or burning performance of the dominant fiber.