Quick trivia for the sustainability nerds: which cellulose fiber is made in a closed-loop process that recovers about 99.5% of its solvent (NMMO), making it a far better bet than conventional viscose? I lean on this in sourcing because it supports safer worker conditions and lower water impacts — curious who else specs it for basics.
Lyocell, especially Lenzing’s TENCEL — the NMMO closed-loop one with about 99.5% recovery (https://www.tencel.com/sustainability). I spec Lenzing-only for basics and require the Lenzing cert on the PI; , ‘bamboo viscose’ keeps getting pitched like it’s the same and it isn’t. Small caveat: dyeing/finishing can swamp water gains, so I push dope-dyed TENCEL when it fits — do you lock to Lenzing or allow generic lyocell?
And @king65 I spec dope‑dyed TENCEL Lyocell for black/navy basics and ask mills for the Lenzing e‑branding cert ID on POs — it slashes dyehouse water and verifies chain of custody; the solvent loop is great, but wet finishing is where the footprint creeps back. Have you tried the low‑fibrillation grade to curb pilling?