How We’re Doing – And Where We’re Heading

Valuable insights from our community

Earth's resources are finite. Even the fibers we wear are part of that conversation — their environmental impact stretches from raw material to end of life. 65% think TENCEL™ is worth searching for on the care label, while 62% feel it gives them the confidence to make more conscious choices when it comes to buying fashion.*

That means we're on the right track.

Validation matters - but third-party recognition carries a second benefit: it builds trust.

We hope that the level of consumer confidence gives fashion labels, household names, and aspiring brands around the world the conviction to choose TENCEL™.

But there is still work to do.

A challenge – and an opportunity

The fiber gap presents both a challenge and an opportunity.

The fiber gap refers to the global shortfall between the demand for textile fibers — such as cotton, polyester, wool and others — and the supply of sustainable or natural fibers available to meet that demand.

According to industry data from Textile Exchange, global fiber production continues to rise, while the scalable supply of lower-impact natural fibers remains constrained. Because natural fibers alone cannot meet growing demand, manufacturers continue to rely heavily on petroleum-based synthetics such as polyester, nylon and acrylic.

Closing this gap requires realism about scale.

In the short to medium term (now–2035), responsibly produced man-made cellulosic fibers (MMCFs), including TENCEL™ Lyocell and Modal, represent the only immediately scalable renewable alternative to polyester at industrial volume.

If the goal is rapid decarbonization and meaningful volume replacement, MMCFs are the bridge solution.

At the same time, next-generation innovators — including LENZING partners such as TreeToTextile and Circ — are pioneering solutions that could reshape the industry over the long term. These technologies have the potential to disrupt conventional MMCF production, reduce reliance on forestry and enable true textile circularity.

“By lowering the barriers to commercialization and working within proven fiber types like TENCEL™ and the REFIBRA™ technology, we hope to turn ambition into real, scalable adoption.”- Jemma Breen, Director of Global Brands & Retailers at Lenzing Group

However, most next-generation innovators are still in pilot or early commercial phases. They are producing limited volumes and often remain dependent on brand partnerships. While highly promising, they are not yet capable of replacing tens of millions of tons of polyester demand. To scale, they will require significant capital investment, infrastructure buildout, policy support and cost reductions.

If the goal is systemic circular transformation, next-generation materials are the future bet.

Most experts agree that closing the fiber gap will require a portfolio approach — scaling MMCFs responsibly today while accelerating next-generation innovation for tomorrow.

However, most next-generation innovators are still in pilot or early commercial phases. They are producing limited volumes and often remain dependent on brand partnerships. While highly promising, they are not yet capable of replacing tens of millions of tons of polyester demand. To scale, they will require significant capital investment, infrastructure buildout, policy support and cost reductions.

If the goal is systemic circular transformation, next-generation materials are the future bet.

Most experts agree that closing the fiber gap will require a portfolio approach — scaling MMCFs responsibly today while accelerating next-generation innovation for tomorrow.

One area where this challenge becomes especially visible is activewear. Performance apparel has long depended on petroleum-based synthetics such as polyester and nylon because of their moisture management, durability and stretch.

Yet consumers are increasingly looking for natural fiber offerings in this category, as awareness grows around the environmental footprint of petroleum-based textiles — and concerns about how synthetic fabrics interact with skin, especially during high-intensity wear.

This is where TENCEL™ fibers — particularly Lyocell — offer a meaningful solution.

Derived from responsibly sourced wood and produced in a closed-loop process, TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers provide breathability, moisture absorption, softness and skin comfort while reducing reliance on fossil-based materials.

When blended with performance yarns, they enable brands to create activewear that balances function, comfort and environmental responsibility — helping shift one of the most synthetic-dependent categories toward more renewable inputs without compromising performance expectations.

Our Community Makes Us

Discover “What makes us,” our new campaign inspired by NielsenIQ insights on growing trust in TENCEL™. Watch the video to explore the story behind the campaign.

Progress does not happen in isolation.

Our community makes us — from the people who design, weave and spin our fibers, to the researchers and innovators who collaborate with us on next-generation solutions, to the brands that bring our materials to life, and the consumers who choose to check the label.

Every step in the value chain matters.

Every partnership strengthens the system.

Every informed choice moves the industry forward.

As we work to close the loop and reduce our footprint — and that of our supply chain — we hope our community continues to grow with us.

That more people see the value in checking the label. And that the name TENCEL™ continues to stand for quality without compromise — for the people who wear it, and the planet we share.

_{*Stats sourced from NielsenIQ, Textile Global Report, 2024-2025. The study surveyed 5,500 textile purchasers in 9 countries (China, Korea, Japan, India, Indonesia, Turkey, United States, United Kingdom, Germany)}

_{**CDP.net, 2025: www.cdp.net/en/disclosure-2025}