Things You Need to Know about Viscose

Viscose is made from cellulose, a natural raw material found in wood. It is extracted from beech or spruce wood, eucalyptus, or bamboo in a chemical process and then pressed into fiber form under high pressure. This process is the reason why we speak of a semi-synthetic raw material: viscose is neither a purely natural fiber, such as cotton or silk nor a synthetic fiber, such as polyester.

The viscose staple fiber market is growing fast—expected to jump from $27.37 billion in 2025 to $40.26 billion by 2032, with a growth rate of 8.4%. With sustainability no longer a choice, but a duty, businesses can stand out by using sustainable viscose options like recycled fibers, which are gaining popularity, with 0.5% of man-made cellulosic fibers made from recycled materials in 2022. This helps brands meet eco-goals, cut costs, and attract green shoppers!

The viscose process allows cellulose fibers to be modified in length, strength, and stability. This adaptability not only makes viscose super versatile and the ideal partner in blended fabrics but also ensures that it is much easier to care for than pure natural fibers: it is easier to wash, hardly needs ironing, and does not rub off as quickly. Viscose is skin-friendly and climate-regulating too! 

This makes viscose a smart solution for fashion brands to overcome the key challenges that sustainability poses in 2025. It’s easy to work with in production, blends well with other materials, and helps create long-lasting, low-maintenance clothing. This means fewer product returns, happier customers, and more value for your brand. Plus, using viscose in collections can help meet both quality and affordability goals.

Because viscose is based on the natural raw material cellulose, it has similarly good climate-regulating properties to the natural fibers cotton or wool. It is very absorbent and can absorb up to 400 percent of its own weight in moisture. At the same time, the fabric does not appear wet but has a cooling effect. An advantage over pure natural fibers: Viscose dries super fast and is therefore popular for travel towels, vegan sneakers, or outdoor textiles.

For brands in the outdoor, travel, or athleisure space, viscose’s ability to soak up to 400% of its weight in moisture without feeling damp makes it ideal for sweat-prone products. A footwear brand, for example, can use viscose lining to keep shoes fresh even after long wear. And because it dries quickly, it reduces drying time in manufacturing too—helping factories save both time and energy. If you're building a product line where comfort and performance matter, viscose gives you a soft, breathable edge that modern customers are actively looking for.

No petroleum is used in the production of viscose, and cellulose cultivation mostly does without pesticides. This has a positive effect on the skin compatibility of the fibers: pure viscose contains hardly any harmful substances and is ideal for allergy sufferers.

That's the reason behind the growing shift of customers toward cellulose-based materials like viscose. For businesses, adapting to this trend isn’t just smart—it’s necessary. Offering soft, allergy-safe clothing can help your brand stand out in a competitive market. Plus, using cleaner, pesticide-free fibers strengthens your sustainability efforts. It shows your customers that you care about both their well-being and Mother Earth. This kind of thoughtful sourcing can turn first-time visitors into loyal buyers of the future!

The renewable raw material cellulose is used for the production of viscose. It is found in various woods and is still biodegradable unchanged after the viscose process. This means that viscose performs better in environmental terms than fully synthetic materials.

Fashion and textile brands can benefit from using viscose in their collections—not just for its low carbon footprint, but also for its versatility and production ease. Whether you're creating basics, activewear, or everyday fashion, viscose offers a soft feel and high-quality drape that attracts modern shoppers. It also integrates well with existing production lines, helping brands scale new collections faster without constantly sourcing new materials.

The viscose process is extremely energy-intensive. In addition, enormous chemical conversion processes are needed to obtain the cellulose. In liquid form or as toxic fumes, the chemicals cause considerable pollution in the manufacturing regions. The consequences are not only harmful to the environment but also demonstrably endanger the health of people in and around the factories.

That’s why brands should invest in eco-friendly viscose alternatives or partner with sustainable suppliers to meet customer demand for greener products and build a stronger, environmentally responsible business.

When buying viscose, there are several factors to consider: The starting raw material, the manufacturing, as well as the processing. In the case of the viscose type "Modal" for example, the cellulose is mainly obtained from sustainable forestry. The designations "Lyocell" or "Tencel" indicate a more environmentally friendly production from eucalyptus, in which no wastewater containing harmful substances is released into the environment. Also produced without chemical additives is "Lenpur" viscose. The special feature: Not a single tree is felled for this material because the cellulose is obtained exclusively from the pruning of trees.

For companies, picking eco-friendly viscose like Modal, Lyocell, or Lenpur can make your brand look great and draw in people who love green products. These materials follow planet-friendly rules, helping your business stand out. Using earth-kind fabrics shows you care about nature, building trust with buyers and pulling in more folks who want to shop with brands that value the environment.