Regenerated cellulose refers to a category of fibers made by chemically processing natural cellulose—usually from wood pulp, but sometimes from other plant sources like bamboo or cotton linters—into a spinnable fiber. Although cellulose is natural, the transformation process makes these fibers semi-synthetic. This group of fibers is commonly known as rayon, which includes well-known subtypes like viscose, modal, and lyocell.

Rayon (Regenerated cellulose fibers) are known for their breathability, silky texture, and biodegradability under the right conditions.

The sustainability of regenerated cellulose depends on two key factors:

1. Whether the cellulose is sourced responsibly (e.g., from FSC®-certified forests)
2. Whether the production process minimizes chemical waste (closed-loop systems)

The more sustainable regenerated cellulose options include: Tencel Lyocell, Tencel Modal, Lenzing Ecovero Viscose, Refibra, Generic Lyocell, Rose/Orange Fibers, Bamboo Lyocell.