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Modal Fabric
Description
- Modal fabric (registered trademark) is a man made 100% cellulose fibre, made out of pure wooden chips from the beech tree.
- Made from the ‘European Schneider zelkova’ tree.
- Combined with modern microforms.
- The fibre is processed by creating a wood pulp, then spinning, then processing the reconstituted beech tree into cellulose fibre.
- Modal fabric is commonly blended with cotton as the cross fibre is similar.
Uses
- Towelling, bathrobes, bedding.
- Yarn, clothing, bed clothes, underwear.
- Furnishings, bedding.
Advantages
- Absorbs 50% more water than cotton.
- Takes dye as well as cotton.
- Lightweight fabric.
- Has the appearance of silk: luster/sheen/gloss.
- Holds colour when machine washed in warm water.
- Fabric isn’t stiff, doesn’t become rigid when machine washed.
- Can be repeatably washed and holds soft and smooth characteristics.
- Soft and smooth against the skin.
- Doesn’t pile as much as cotton.
- Resistant to fading.
- Resistant to shrinkage.
- Resistant to mineral build up when washed again and again e.g. lime from hard water.
- Blends are more crease resistant.
- Doesn’t age like cotton.
Disadvantages
- 100% modal requires ironing.
- 100% modal has a tendency to pile due to the long fibres.
- More expensive than viscose.
Embodied Energy
- Transportation from manufacturer to Europe or USA increases fuel consumption, depending on the distance for shipping.
- Currently the only manufacturer of this textile is in Austria, if you are local to Austria this textile is ideal, however further away lowers the eco credentials.
- Processing the beech wood into a cellulose fibre is a man made process which uses more energy than processing natural fibres.
Source/Origin
- Austria – Modal is a registered trademark of Lenzig AG.
- Beech is imported from Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Germany.
Renewable
- Manufacturer advises all timber is collected from sustainably managed forests.
Environment & Health
- Made from 100% natural timber, creating a 100% natural fibre.
- Harmless to humans and animals as 100% natural.
- Manufacturer has a sustainability policy in place for their manufacturing process.
Some of the beech chippings used are from industrial timber – unable to use such timber for quality timber e.g. furniture, flooring, door fronts etc.
- Waste by products of processing are sold on e.g. wood sugars.
Performance
- As strong as polyester.
- Retains softness and silky appearance after repeated machine washing.
Recycled content
Recyclable
- Can be recycled into lesser worth products e.g. filling materials.
Disposal / Biodegradable
- 100 % biodegradable fabric
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