TRI-BLEND As its name indicates, there are textiles that are composed of tri-blend fabrics: polyester, cotton, and rayon. Each fiber adds a specific function to the material. The polyester adds strength and dura- bility, the cotton provides wicking and breathability, and the rayon brings softness. While we’ve learned already about polyester and cotton, we haven’t yet touched on rayon. Rayon is a wood fibre, but it doesn’t always have a sustainable supply chain. Old growth forests are often cleared and/or subsistence farmers are displaced to make way for pulpwood plantations.
Some manufacturers of rayon are working to create sustainable supply chains for their fibre sources. TENCEL®, for example, is a branded rayon with a transparent supply chain. The material is obtained from eucalyptus trees grown on farms. The pulp produced for TENCEL® has earned Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification, which means it comes from responsibly managed forests. Tri-blends are popular for their super-soft feel and stretch properties. Essentially, they area good match for active wear or a vintage look and feel.
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