When it comes to sleep quality, bedding materials make all the difference. Consumers today have plentiful options from natural materials to synthetics, but not all fibers feel or perform the same. Choosing the right fibers for each bedding component is crucial for creating a comfortable and sleep-conducive environment. Some sleepers, for example, may seek a consistent room and bed temperature for shut-eye experiences. Textile fiber choices at every layer of the bed can determine whether a sleeper experiences a comfortable or restless night’s rest.
Sleep studies have shown that LENZING™ Lyocell Fill, part of the TENCEL™ fiber family, excels in maintaining an ideal sleep environment due to the fibers’ excellent moisture management and temperature regulation features,1, 2, 3, 4 enhancing the overall comfort of bedding materials and promoting a cozy sleep experience.
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LENZING™ Lyocell Fill’s benefits for bedding go beyond—and below—the surface. In addition to bringing performance properties like moisture absorption, softness and thermal comfort, these wood-based regenerative fibers can be used in the lofty fill of comforters, pillows and more to facilitate a more comfortable, sleep-conducive environment. LENZING™ Lyocell Fill offers a natural, renewable option5,6 for bedding products, addressing shoppers’ sensory and sustainability demands.7
Helping brands incorporate LENZING™ Lyocell Fill into more of their products, Lenzing Group is expanding its portfolio of fill fibers with the introduction of a fiber with a finer linear density that is suitable for lightweight applications like pillows.
The expanded LENZING™ Lyocell Fill portfolio features two distinct linear densities and various cut lengths, offering enhanced compatibility to blend seamlessly with other filling materials. Adding some lyocell to a down or synthetic pillow, for example, creates drier, cooler microclimates than the non-TENCEL™ materials would offer alone. This versatility supports different filling technologies and product constructions, catering to diverse design and application needs and specific consumer preferences in home textiles, apparel and beyond.
The new, finer fibers, suitable for not only carding but blow-fill technology, enhance the sensorial experience in pillows, stuffed toys and other lightweight applications. Meanwhile, the established, coarser fibers continue to deliver inherent moisture control8 and bulkiness for enhanced sleep comfort in quilts, comforters and other home textile applications, particularly those using carding technology.
Since LENZING™ Lyocell Fill has a strong absorption, there is less moisture left on the surface of fibers, creating an unfavorable environment for unwanted bacteria growth and dust mites.
By replacing a portion of synthetic fillings with LENZING™ Lyocell Fill, which is a USDA Certified Biobased Product, companies can reduce their reliance on fossil fuel-based materials.3,5 LENZING™ Lyocell Fill fibers are made from responsibly sourced wood pulp, and they have a smaller environmental footprint than generic lyocell.7
Sustainable bedding solutions are sought-after by the industry as well as shoppers. In a 2023 survey conducted by the Better Sleep Council, 52 percent of consumers said that mattresses made of sustainable materials would be a very important or essential factor in their shopping choice, and an additional 35 percent indicated it was somewhat important to them.10
“With the planet at heart,7 our expanded LENZING™ Lyocell Fill fibers, both EU Ecolabel-certified11 and ClimatePartner-certified,9 are versatile and can offer an almost endless variety of product designs and functions,” said Caroline Ledl, senior director of global product and application management, commercial textile at Lenzing AG. “These fibers provide not only enhanced thermal comfort and moisture control8 but also form-keeping properties.1 Leveraging our decades of experience in refining filling materials, we believe our expanded fiber portfolio will inspire like-minded industry partners to create even more innovative designs across various product applications.”
Outside of bedding, LENZING™ Lyocell Fill products can be used in apparel—such as filled jackets. The wider selection of fiber density and length allows LENZING™ Lyocell Fill to be used within a broader range of applications. As manufacturers explore these new fill material options, Lenzing’s R&D and technical teams are on hand to help guide them through the right fiber choices and application suggestions.
Lenzing introduced its full array of LENZING™ Lyocell Fill products at home show Heimtextil from Jan. 14 to 17, 2025 in Frankfurt, Germany. The company exhibited within the Smart Bedding section in Hall 11, which focused on innovative solutions for sleep.
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Facts and figures
The expanded LENZING™ Lyocell Fill portfolio features two linear densities and five cut lengths:
- 1.7dtex: Finer variant available in 60mm, 32mm and 16mm. The 32mm and 16mm variants are suitable for blow-fill applications (for example, pillows and stuffed toys) and blends with premium materials (for example, down, feather and silk). The 32mm variant is also suitable for fiber balls. The 1.7dtex/60mm variant is designed for application in apparel fillings, such as jackets.
- 6.7dtex: Established fiber for carding, fiber ball and blow-fill applications. Available in 32mm and 60mm cut lengths. Excels in comforters, quilts and other home textile applications.
Sources
- Cafuta et al., Suitability of lyocell fiber for pillow fillings, 2018.
- Helbig, K. (2006). Comparative research: Microclimate of bedding components. Lenzinger Berichte, 85, 51-53. https://www.lenzing.com/?type=88245&tx_filedownloads_file%5bfileName%5d=fileadmin/content/PDF/03_Forschung_u_Entwicklung/EN/Lenzinger_Berichte_85_2006.pdf
- Abu-Rous, M., Ingolic, E. & Schuster, K.C. Visualisation of the fibrillar and pore morphology of cellulosic fibres applying transmission electron microscopy. Cellulose 13, 411–419 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-006-9052-5
- Moser et al., Influence of textile materials on a restful sleep, 2007.
- Adhering to the company’s commitment to environmental protection and resource preservation, Lenzing procures wood and pulp only from certified or controlled sustainable sources. In its Wood and Pulp Policy, Lenzing is committed to procuring wood and pulp exclusively from non-controversial sources. https://www.lenzing.com/sustainability/production/resources/wood-and-dissolving-wood-pulp
- To foster a sustainable global textile and nonwovens industry, Lenzing follows three strategic principles within the context of its “Naturally Positive” sustainability strategy, which focuses on greening the value chain, advancing the circular economy and collaborating for systemic change with key industry stakeholders, such as Textile Exchange, Cascale, Canopy, Together for Sustainability, Renewable Carbon Initiative and UN Global Compact. For detailed references, refer to footnote 4 here: https://b2b.tencel.com/news-and-events/lenzing-lyocell-fill-expands-portfolio-to-enhance-comfort-resource-efficiency-and-design-versatility-in-filling-applications
- LENZING™ Lyocell fibers are made with at least 50 percent less carbon emissions and water consumption, compared to generic (unbranded) lyocell. The results were calculated according to LCA standards (ISO 14040/44) and are made available via the Higg Materials Sustainability Index (MSI) v3.9.
- The structure of LENZING™ Lyocell fibers allows the absorption and release of moisture. In the final textile product, these effective moisture controlling properties support a drier microclimate on the skin, increasing the wearer’s thermal comfort.
- LENZING™ Lyocell fibers are ClimatePartner certified as part of a bespoke climate action plan, which assesses the carbon footprint of products, sets targets and implements measures to reduce emissions, supports verified climate projects, and fosters transparency along its supply chain. For details of ClimatePartner certification, please refer to Climate-ID pages: TENCEL™ Lyocell. https://climate-id.com/XYLKGW
- https://bedtimesmagazine.com/2023/10/sustainability-and-the-mattress-buying-experience/
- LENZING™ Lyocell fibers are certified with the EU Ecolabel (license no. AT/016/001) for environmental excellence.
