Viscose, modal, lyocell: same family, different routes.
Why a wood-based origin is only the first part of the story.
Reviewed 2026-09-22. Open in the interactive atlas.
Begin with cellulose
These fibers are regenerated from cellulose. Unlike cotton or flax, the textile fiber is formed during industrial processing rather than simply extracted in its existing form.
Follow the chemistry
Viscose uses a chemical conversion before regeneration. Modal modifies this general route to achieve particular properties. Lyocell uses direct solvent dissolution. Exact performance and recovery depend on the producer.
Keep generic names and brands separate
Lyocell and modal are fiber types. A trademark can identify a producer’s range, but a generic fiber label does not prove that the product came from that producer.
Ask two questions
Where did the pulp originate, and how did the fiber plant manage its process? Both are necessary to assess a specific sourcing claim.
Sources & further reading
- Lenzing: Fiber production technologies
Producer explanation of lyocell, viscose and modal. Its process claims describe its own operations.