What is Regenerated Fiber?
Last updated 2026-05-24
Regenerated fiber is textile fiber produced by chemically transforming a natural cellulose source — wood pulp, agricultural waste, or even existing textiles — into a new fiber. Common examples include viscose, modal, lyocell (Tencel), bamboo rayon, and newer fibers made from food waste or used clothing. Not all regenerated fibers are created equal. Conventional viscose and bamboo rayon are produced with carbon disulfide and other harmful chemicals, with significant environmental and worker-safety concerns. Modern alternatives — Tencel Lyocell, EcoVero viscose, Refibra (Tencel made from recycled cotton waste) — use closed-loop solvent processes that recycle 99% of chemicals, dramatically reducing environmental impact. The fiber category is increasingly important because it can use waste streams as inputs. Refibra uses post-consumer cotton waste. Circulose (from Renewcell) is made from worn-out cotton garments. These approaches turn the fashion industry's waste problem into raw material for new production, closing what has historically been an open loop.
Patagonia's Better Sweater fleece uses recycled polyester, but their new Recrafted line uses Refibra — Tencel made from a blend of wood pulp and recycled cotton waste. The garments perform identically to virgin fibers but use significantly less new fiber input.
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Questions, answered.
Is bamboo fabric sustainable?
Conventional bamboo viscose is not — the chemical processing involves carbon disulfide and other harmful inputs. Bamboo Lyocell (a closed-loop process) is significantly more sustainable but rare. Most 'bamboo fabric' on the market is conventional viscose, despite marketing claims.
What's the difference between viscose and Lyocell?
Both are regenerated cellulose fibers, but Lyocell (including Tencel) is produced in a closed-loop process that recycles 99% of solvents. Viscose typically uses an open-loop process with significant chemical waste. Lyocell is far more environmentally responsible.
Can old clothing be turned into new fabric?
Yes — emerging technologies like Renewcell's Circulose and Lenzing's Refibra do exactly this, taking post-consumer cotton waste and turning it into new regenerated fiber. The category is small but growing as fashion industry pressure to address waste increases.