Viscose is a versatile textile material, often known as “artificial silk”. It is chemically produced from natural raw materials such as beech or bamboo. As a semi-synthetic fiber, it combines the advantages of natural and artificial materials.
Viscose has remarkable properties. It can absorb up to 400 percent of its weight in moisture. It also has a cooling effect. This makes it comfortable to wear and versatile.
The production of viscose is complex and energy-intensive. It involves several chemical conversion steps. The finished fiber is created from wood cellulose.
Pure viscose contains hardly any harmful substances. This makes it suitable for allergy sufferers. It is a popular material in the textile industry worldwide.
Important findings
- Viscose is a semi-synthetic fiber made from natural cellulose
- Made from wood such as beech, spruce or bamboo
- High moisture absorption and cooling effect
- Energy-intensive production with chemical conversion processes
- Pure viscose is low in harmful substances and suitable for allergy sufferers
- Popular material in the textile industry worldwide
What is viscose
Viscose is a versatile fiber from the 19th century. It consists of regenerated cellulose and comes from beech, pine or eucalyptus trees. Chemicals transform cellulose into a tough mass for production.
Production and properties of cellulose fiber
Viscose is produced in several steps. Cellulose is treated with caustic soda and carbon disulphide. The solution resembles warm honey.
The mass is pressed through spinnerets and solidified in an acid bath. This is how the special viscose fibers are created.
Viscose fibres are characterized by special features:
- Softness and silky sheen
- High absorbency and breathability
- Good color absorption
- Lightness and robustness
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Difference to synthetic and natural fibers
Viscose stands between natural and synthetic fibers. It is semi-synthetic, made from natural cellulose, but chemically processed. Compared to cotton, viscose is less stretchy but cooler.
Synthetic fibers such as polyester are easier to care for. However, they are less breathable than viscose.
| Characteristic | Viscose | Viscose Cotton | polyester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Origin | Semi-synthetic | Natural | Synthetic |
| Breathability | High | Very high | Low |
| Ease of care | Medium | High | Very high |
| Absorbency | Very high | High | Low |
Main areas of application in the textile sector
Viscose is widely used in textile production. It is used in blouses, dresses and sportswear. Viscose is also used in home textiles and technical fabrics.
It is often combined with other fibers. This increases the durability of the textiles.
Viscose applications include:
- Clothing: Blouses, dresses, T-shirts
- Home textiles: bed linen, towels
- Technical textiles: tea bags, hospital textiles
- Hygiene articles: Cotton pads, wet wipes
Environmental impact and sustainability
Viscose is considered an environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic fibers. But how sustainable is this fabric really? A closer look at the production process sheds light on this.
Advantages over synthetic fibers
Viscose is based on renewable raw materials and is biodegradable. In contrast to polyester, no crude oil is used. However, degradation takes 20-200 years.
Less than 30% of viscose production comes from sustainable forestry. This shows potential for improvement in the procurement of raw materials.
Chemical pollution during production
Viscose production is chemical-intensive. Ammonia, acetone, caustic soda and sulphuric acid are used. This leads to environmental pollution such as air emissions and toxic discharges into bodies of water.
Water and energy consumption is also high. These aspects considerably reduce the sustainability of viscose.
| Aspect | Impact |
|---|---|
| Use of chemicals | High (ammonia, acetone, caustic soda, sulphuric acid) |
| Air emissions | Carbon disulphide, hydrogen sulphide, nitrogen oxides |
| Water pollution | Toxic inputs into water bodies |
| Resource consumption | High water and energy consumption |
Production sites and working conditions
The textile industry often relocates viscose production to countries with low standards. This can lead to poor working conditions. Environmental pollution also often increases in these regions.
Sustainable alternatives: Modal, Tencel and Lyocell
Advanced cellulose fibers such as Modal, Tencel and Lyocell improve the environmental balance. The Lyocell process uses sustainable forestry and recycles over 99% of the solvent.
Lyocell performs better in the eco-ranking than conventional cotton. There are particular advantages in terms of water consumption. Energy consumption has also been reduced through continuous optimization.
Conclusion
The viscose rating is ambiguous. The fabric absorbs moisture well and uses less water than cotton. Viscose is made from renewable raw materials such as beech, pine or eucalyptus wood.
However, its production involves environmental risks due to chemicals such as carbon disulphide. This can harm people and nature. Working conditions in production countries are also often problematic.
Innovative alternatives such as Modal, Tencel and Lyocell are promising. These fibers come from certified wood and are produced in closed cycles. They combine the advantages of viscose with better environmental compatibility.
Further innovations and strict eco-labels are needed for greater sustainability. In this way, the full potential of these fibers can be exploited.
FAQ
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