What is Viscose Fabric

Viscose fabric is a popular and versatile material used in the fashion industry. Also known as rayon, viscose is made from natural fibers and is known for its softness, draping qualities, and breathability.

Viscose is often used to create lightweight, flowy garments such as dresses, blouses, and skirts, but can also be used for home textiles and upholstery. One of the main benefits of viscose is its affordability, as it is less expensive than other natural fibers such as silk or cotton.

Additionally, viscose is often blended with other materials to improve its properties, such as adding elastane for stretch or cotton for added durability.

How is Viscose Fabric Made?

Harvesting the raw material: Viscose is made from cellulose, which can be obtained from a variety of natural sources such as wood pulp, bamboo, and cotton.
Dissolving the cellulose: The cellulose is dissolved in a chemical solution to create a viscous liquid called "viscose."
Filtering and ripening the viscose: The viscose is then filtered and ripened for several hours to remove impurities and ensure consistency.
Extruding the viscose: The viscose is extruded through a spinneret into a coagulating bath, which solidifies the fibers into long strands.
Washing and drying the fibers: The strands are then washed and dried to remove any remaining chemicals and prepare the fibers for spinning.
Spinning the fibers into yarn: The dried fibers are then spun into yarn using various methods, such as ring spinning or open-end spinning.
Weaving or knitting the yarn into fabric: The yarn is then woven or knitted into fabric using various techniques to create different textures and finishes.

Benefits of Viscose Fabric

“Viscose fabric is known for its softness and smoothness, which makes it comfortable to wear and touch”

Softness: Viscose fabric is known for its softness and smoothness, which makes it comfortable to wear and touch.
Absorbency: Viscose fabric has a high absorbency rate, which makes it good at wicking away moisture and keeping the body cool and dry.
Drapability: Viscose fabric has a good drapability, which makes it easy to sew and gives a flowy and elegant look to the final product.
Affordability: Viscose fabric is relatively inexpensive, making it a good option for budget-conscious consumers.
Versatility: Viscose fabric is versatile and can be used for a wide range of products, from clothing and linens to upholstery and home decor.

Negatives to Viscose Fabric

Shrinkage: Viscose fabric has a tendency to shrink when washed, which can cause problems with fit and appearance.
Wrinkling: Viscose fabric wrinkles easily, which can be a problem if you want a wrinkle-free look.
Fading: Viscose fabric can fade quickly when exposed to sunlight or chemicals, which can affect the appearance and longevity of the fabric.
Environmental Impact: Viscose fabric is not environmentally friendly, as it is made from wood pulp which may come from unsustainable logging. Additionally, the production process can be harmful to the environment.

Harmful Chemicals in Viscose Fabric Production?

The production of viscose fabric involves the use of several chemicals, some of which can be harmful to human health and the environment.

Sodium hydroxide (NaOH): This strong alkali is used to dissolve cellulose and create the viscose solution. It can be harmful if inhaled and can cause skin and eye irritation.
Carbon disulfide (CS2): This chemical is used to dissolve the cellulose in the viscose solution and can be toxic if inhaled. Long-term exposure to carbon disulfide can lead to neurological symptoms such as tremors, depression, and memory loss.
Zinc chloride: This chemical is used as a crosslinking agent to make the fibers bond together, creating a yarn. It is corrosive and can cause skin and eye irritation.
Sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide: These chemicals are used to improve the properties of the fabric, such as its softness, drapability, and luster. They can be corrosive and harmful if inhaled.
Heavy metals: The production process of Viscose fabric may also include heavy metals, such as lead, which can be harmful to human health if ingested or inhaled.

Products that use Viscose Fabric.

Clothing: Viscose fabric is commonly used in clothing, such as dresses, blouses, pants, and skirts, due to its softness, drapability, and luster.
Linens: Viscose fabric is also used in linens, such as sheets, pillowcases, and towels, due to its absorbency and comfort.
Home decor: Viscose fabric is used in home decor items, such as curtains, upholstery, and carpets, due to its softness and drapability.
Accessories: Viscose fabric is used in accessories, such as scarves, shawls, and bags, due to its softness, drapability and luster.
Industrial: Viscose fabric can be used in industrial applications, such as ropes, tires, hoses and rubber products.

Top Brands using Viscose Fabric

H&M: H&M is a fashion brand that is committed to using sustainable materials in its products, including viscose. The company is a member of the CanopyStyle initiative, which aims to eliminate the use of ancient and endangered forests in viscose production.
Zara: Zara is a popular fashion brand that uses viscose in many of its products, including dresses, blouses, and skirts. The company has a commitment to sustainability and has implemented measures to reduce its environmental impact, such as using recycled materials and reducing water usage.
Mango: Mango is a fashion brand that uses viscose in many of its products, such as dresses and blouses. The company has a commitment to sustainability and has implemented measures to reduce its environmental impact, such as using sustainable materials and reducing waste.
Everlane: Everlane is a fashion brand that is committed to transparency and ethical production. The company uses viscose in many of its products, such as dresses and jumpsuits, and sources its viscose from sustainable producers.
Reformation: Reformation is a sustainable fashion brand that uses viscose in many of its products, such as dresses, jumpsuits, and blouses. The company has a commitment to sustainable production and uses a variety of eco-friendly materials in its products.

Important Certifications with Viscose Fabric

FSC: The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification ensures that the cellulose used to make viscose is harvested from responsibly managed forests. This certification helps to promote sustainability and biodiversity in the production of viscose.
EU Ecolabel: The EU Ecolabel certification ensures that products are made with a reduced environmental impact, including the production of viscose. This certification covers a range of environmental criteria, such as water usage, emissions, and waste reduction.
CanopyStyle: The CanopyStyle initiative is a global campaign that aims to eliminate the use of ancient and endangered forests in the production of viscose. Companies that are members of this initiative commit to sourcing their viscose from sustainable sources and avoiding the use of controversial fiber sources.
Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS): The GOTS certification ensures that the entire production process of a textile product, including the production of viscose, meets strict environmental and social criteria. This includes the use of sustainable materials, the reduction of water usage and emissions, and fair labor practices.
Oeko-Tex Standard 100: The Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification ensures that textile products, including those made with viscose, are free from harmful chemicals and safe for human use. This certification covers a range of substances, including heavy metals, pesticides, and formaldehyde.

Alternative Fabrics to Viscose

Linen: Linen is a natural fiber that is derived from the flax plant. It is known for its breathability and cooling properties, making it a popular choice for summer clothing and bedding. Linen fabric is also eco-friendly, as it requires less water and energy to produce than viscose.
Hemp: Hemp is a natural fiber that is derived from the hemp plant. It is known for its durability and strength, and is often used for clothing, bags, and other accessories. Hemp fabric is also eco-friendly, as it requires less water and pesticides to grow than viscose.
Tencel: Tencel is a brand name for lyocell, a fiber made from the pulp of eucalyptus trees. It is known for its softness and moisture-wicking properties, and is often used for clothing, bedding, and home textiles. Tencel is also eco-friendly, as it is produced using a closed-loop process that minimizes waste and uses less water and energy than viscose.
Recycled fabrics: Recycled fabrics, such as polyester made from recycled plastic bottles or cotton made from recycled clothing, are an eco-friendly alternative to viscose. These fabrics help to reduce waste and conserve resources, while also providing a sustainable option for clothing and textiles.

How is Viscose Fabric Improving

Use of sustainable sources: Viscose producers are increasingly sourcing their cellulose from sustainable sources, such as bamboo, eucalyptus, and other non-endangered trees. This helps to reduce the environmental impact of viscose production and promote sustainability.
Closed-loop production processes: Some viscose producers are implementing closed-loop production processes, which minimize waste and reduce the use of water and energy. These processes help to make viscose production more eco-friendly and sustainable.
Transparency in supply chains: Viscose producers are working to increase transparency in their supply chains, including tracing the origin of their cellulose and ensuring ethical and responsible practices throughout the production process. This helps to promote sustainability and social responsibility in the production of viscose.
Use of eco-friendly chemicals: Viscose producers are increasingly using eco-friendly chemicals in the production process, such as enzymes and bio-based solvents. This helps to reduce the environmental impact of viscose production and promote sustainability.
Certification and standards: The development and use of certifications and standards, such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the CanopyStyle initiative, help to promote sustainability and responsible sourcing in the production of viscose.

FAQ

Is viscose fabric eco-friendly?

Viscose production can have a significant environmental impact due to the chemicals used in the production process. Advances in sustainable production methods and the use of alternative sources of cellulose, such as bamboo and eucalyptus, are helping to make viscose a more eco-friendly choice.

Is viscose fabric breathable?

Yes, viscose fabric is known for its breathability and moisture-wicking properties. It is often used to create lightweight, flowy garments such as dresses, blouses, and skirts.

Does viscose fabric shrink?

Viscose fabric tends to shrink when exposed to heat or water. To prevent shrinkage, it is recommended to wash viscose garments in cold water and hang them to dry.

Is viscose fabric durable?

Viscose fabric is not as durable as some other natural fibers such as cotton or linen. However, it can be blended with other materials such as elastane or cotton to improve its durability.

Can viscose fabric be ironed?

Yes, viscose fabric can be ironed on a low heat setting. It is recommended to iron viscose garments inside out to avoid damaging the fibers.

Final Thoughts

Viscose fabric is a popular and versatile material used in the fashion industry. Made from natural fibers, viscose is known for its softness, draping qualities, and breathability. The production of viscose can have a significant environmental impact due to the chemicals used in the production process.

Despite this, advances in sustainable production methods and the use of alternative sources of cellulose are helping to make viscose a more eco-friendly choice. Overall, viscose offers a range of benefits such as affordability, versatility, and comfort, and with a growing emphasis on sustainability and ethical production practices, it can continue to be a responsible choice for consumers and the environment.

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