TENCEL™ has partnered with Portugal based Acabamentos Têxteis de Barcelos (ATB) to launch a full collection of organic cotton fleece fabric. The fleece fabric was designed with TENCEL™’s customers in mind after they requested a sustainable knitted fleece that feels soft to the touch. TENCEL™’s partnership with ATB was motivated by the Portuguese mill’s exemplary machinery park, skilled staff, high standards in all stages of production and its integrated information system ensuring control from reception to final testing and delivery.

Developed as brushed and unbrushed fleece, the jersey and interlock fabric is composed of 40% TENCEL™ branded lyocell fibers and 60% cotton, which means for brushed fleece, fibers are brushed or cut to stand up and create a plush surface; for unbrushed, the fleece has clearly visible loops on the inside which create a flatter surface. The fleece fabric is a bestseller amongst a wide range of women’s fashion brands due to its softness, clean look and well-structured composition, which is perfect for garments such as sports-styled trousers, sweaters, cozy homewear and sleepwear.

“By using TENCEL™ fibers in our knitted fleece collection, we are able to reduce the use of micro-plastic without sacrificing the hand feel and functionality of the fabric. The final product is super soft and provides even more warmth and comfort. I am incredibly proud that we have upgraded the fleece fabric in both sustainability and functionality aspects,” said Judy Chen, Director of Global Business Development, Fashion Knits & Essential and Taiwan at Lenzing Group.

“Our customers are always seeking innovative products. With the technical support provided by Lenzing, this sustainable knitted fleece collection gives us confidence in approaching differentiated markets, which value sustainable and comfortable products,” said Ricardo Mane, CEO at ATB.

TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers have a strong global reputation for their environmentally responsible closed loop production process. By combining wood pulp into cellulosic fibers with low environmental impact, the fibers are certified as compostable and biodegradable, and thus can fully revert back to nature. TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers are versatile and can be combined with a wide range of textile fibers to enhance the aesthetics and functionality of the fabric. ATB’s advantage in their machinery and dyeing process enhances the sustainability profile of the knitted fleece collection further by using less water and less energy in the production of the fabric.

As a sustainable brand, TENCEL™ partners with eco-friendly manufacturers such as ATB which share the same vision of a better future for the planet and whose operation and production process is in line with TENCEL™’s highest level of standards.